Accomplice Liability Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is Accomplice Liability?

A

Is not an offense, but a way to link an accomplice to a crime committed by someone else. An accomplice is charged as if they were the principal (one who committed crime).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who is an Accomplice?

A
  • One who has the intent to effectuate the commission of a crime and:
  • Assists or encourages another to commit the crime or
  • Fails to oppose another person committing that crime despite having a legal duty to do so.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Liability for an Accomplice

A

Under modern law, an accomplice to a crime is fully liable for the crime being committed. Accomplices can also be convicted before the principal is convicted.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Accomplice Liability: Actus Reus (Majority v. Minority Rule)

A

The majority rule requires actual assistance or encouragement.

The minority rule only requires an attempt to assist or encourage the principal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

False Accomplices

A

One cannot be liable as an accomplice for the acts of a false accomplice (e.g. an undercover cop).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Accomplice Liability: Mens Rea (General Rule)

A

D must intend to commit the act of assistance or encouragement and further intend to assist or encourage another to commit the crime charged.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Accomplice Liability: Mens Rea (Minority Rule)

A

A minority of jurisdictions create accomplice liability when a D knowingly assists or encourages a crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Scope of Accomplice Liability

A

Accomplices are responsible for crimes that are purposefully facilitated and all others that are reasonably foreseeable outgrowths of the primary crime (obj. test).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Accomplice Liability: Renunciation (Majority Rule)

A

An accomplice may avoid accomplice liability if before the crime begins:

  • he stopped assisting and encouraging the principal
  • he effectively communicated to principal the accomplice’s intent to withdraw.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Accomplice Liability: Renunciation (Minority Rule)

A

A minority of jurisdictions require the accomplice to neutralize their prior assistance or encouragement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

CL Pleading Terms

A

Include:

  • Principal in the first degree
  • Principal in the second degree
  • Accessory before the fact
  • Accessory after the fact
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Principal in First Degree

A

The trigger puller (perpetrator who performs the act with requisite mental state).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Principal in the Second Degree

A

One who aids or abets and is present at the scene.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Accessory Before the Fact

A

One who aids or abets but is not present at the scene.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Accessory After the Fact

A

One who aids or abets the principal after commission of crime. Requires proof of:

  • completed felony
  • accessory knew of the commission of the felony
  • accessory personally gave aid to felon to hinder their apprehension, conviction, or punishment.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly