Accomplice

An accomplice is a person who helps another commit a crime. Traditionally, accomplices were broken down into principals and accessories and each of those categories was further broken down. Modern conspiracy and facilitation laws have made these distinctions less significant. Conspirators and accomplices before the fact can generally be charged with the same crime as the person who actually committed it. Accessories after the fact, a type of accomplice, can typically be charged with obstruction of justice.