Principals, Accomplices, Aiders, and Abettors

Question 1

Principals

Answer 1

Ds whose acts or omissions form the actus reus of the crime

There can be more than one to a particular crime

Question 2

Accomplices

Answer 2

People who assist the principal either before or during the commission of a crime

Must act with intent if assisting principal to commit the crime

Question 3

Liability of Accomplices

Answer 3

Liable as accomplice for both:
(1) The PLANNED CRIME; and

(2) ANY OTHER FORESEEABLE CRIMES that occur in the course of the criminal act

Can be principally liable even if he or she cannot be a principal or even if the principal cannot be convicted

Question 4

Accomplice Exception

Answer 4

A person protected by a statute cannot be an accomplice in violating the statute

Ex: Statutory rape minor

Question 5

Accessories After the Fact

Answer 5

People who assist D after the crime has been committed

Question 6

Aiders/Abettors and Conspiracy

Answer 6

Individuals who aid or abet a D to commit a crime may also be guilty of conspiracy if there was an agreement to commit the crime and an overt act was taken in furtherance of that agreement

Question 7

Mental States of Accomplices

Answer 7

(1) Purpose of promoting or facilitating the commission of the offense; and
(2) Intend that their acts will assist or encourage the criminal conduct

Question 8

Criminal Facilitation

Answer 8

A person who is not guilty of the substantive crime (because he did not act with intent) may be guilty of the lesser offense of criminal facilitation for simply assisting