Parties to a Crime - Accomplice Liability

Question 1

What is the difference between a principal and an accomplice?

Answer 1

Principal: the person who commits the crime.

Accomplice: a person who assists or encourages the principal with the intent that the crime is committed.

Question 2

Who is not considered an accomplice?

Answer 2

“Necessary parties” - if statute requires more than one participant in order to complete the crime.

Victims of a crime (the law is trying to protect them!)

Question 3

Scope of liability: What can an accomplice be liable for?

Answer 3

(1) All crimes committed that the accomplice aids or encourages, and
(2) all “natural and probable results” of the crime that the accomplice intended to assist.

Question 4

Withdrawal: When can an accomplice avoid criminal liability?

Answer 4

Question 5

Accessory after the fact

Answer 5

Question 6

Misprision of a felony

Answer 6

A person is guilty of this crime if the person fails to inform the authorities about a felony that the person knows about.