accessory before the fact

An accessory before-the-fact is a person who aids and abets, or encourages another to commit a crime but who is not present at the scene. An accessory before the fact, like an accomplice may be held criminally liable to the same extent as the principal. Many jurisdictions refer to an accessory before the fact as an accomplice.

See: Evans v. State, 145 So. 3d 674 (Miss. 2014); accessory

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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