Legal Definitions - aid and abet

The legal term aid and abet refers to the act of knowingly assisting, encouraging, or facilitating another person in committing a crime.

For someone to be found to "aid and abet," they must have been aware of the perpetrator's unlawful purpose and intended to help or encourage the crime through their actions or advice. Importantly, a person who aids and abets can face the same criminal liability as the individual who directly carries out the offense.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Providing a Getaway

  Imagine a scenario where Alex drives a car to a jewelry store and waits outside while their friend, Ben, goes inside to commit a robbery. Alex knows Ben's intention to steal and agrees to be the getaway driver, planning to speed away once Ben returns with the stolen goods. In this case, Alex is aiding and abetting the robbery because they knowingly provided essential assistance (transportation and an escape route) to facilitate the crime.

• Example 2: Supplying Tools or Information

  Consider a situation where Carla works at a construction site and provides her acquaintance, David, with a master key to the site's storage shed, knowing that David intends to steal valuable equipment from it later that night. Carla also tells David the best time to avoid security patrols. Carla is aiding and abetting the theft because she knowingly supplied the means (the key) and critical information to help David commit the crime.

• Example 3: Active Encouragement

  During a street protest, a small group of individuals begins to vandalize a public building. Emily, who is part of the crowd but not directly participating in the vandalism, repeatedly shouts, "Smash more windows! They deserve it!" and cheers on the vandals, knowing full well what they are doing. Emily is aiding and abetting the vandalism because her words actively encouraged and instigated the commission of the crime, demonstrating an intent to promote the unlawful acts.