accomplice

In one sentence

Someone who knowingly helps another person commit a crime.

Plain English

An accomplice is a person who intentionally helps someone else commit a crime. This can happen in different ways: you might be present during the crime and actively help, or you might have helped plan it beforehand. The key is that you knew what was happening and you wanted to help it succeed. Accomplices face the same criminal charges and penalties as the person who actually committed the crime.

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Example

Two people plan to steal a car. One person hot-wires it while the other stands watch and warns of police. Both are accomplices and both can be charged with auto theft.

Used in a sentence

“The store manager was an accomplice to the robbery because she disabled the alarm system before her boyfriend stole the cash.”

Related terms

accessory before the fact

Helping someone plan or prepare to commit a crime before it happens.

accessory after the fact

Helping a criminal escape or hide after they've committed a crime.

guilty plea

A defendant's admission in court that they committed the crime(s) charged, typically resulting in conviction without trial.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

The legal principle that a defendant is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

incriminating statement

A statement made by someone that suggests they committed a crime or participated in criminal activity.

judgment

The court's final decision in a criminal case, determining guilt or innocence and imposing sentence.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.