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Simple English definitions for legal terms
accessory before the fact
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A quick definition of accessory before the fact:
An accessory before-the-fact is someone who helps or encourages another person to commit a crime, but is not physically present when the crime is committed. They can be held responsible for the crime just like the person who actually committed it. Some places call them an accomplice.
A more thorough explanation:
An accessory before-the-fact is a person who helps or encourages someone else to commit a crime, but is not present when the crime is committed. This person can be held responsible for the crime just like the person who actually committed it.
John wants to rob a bank, but he needs someone to help him plan the robbery. He talks to his friend Mike, who agrees to help him come up with a plan. Mike is an accessory before-the-fact because he helped John plan the crime, even though he wasn't there when it happened.
Another example could be a person who gives someone else a weapon to commit a crime, or helps them get away after the crime has been committed.
These examples show how someone can be held responsible for a crime even if they didn't actually commit it themselves. It's important to remember that being an accessory before-the-fact is a serious crime and can result in punishment just like the person who committed the crime.