A criminal charge of aiding and abetting is known as an accomplice crime, and may be brought against anyone who helps with the commission of a crime. Aiding and abetting charges vary from state to state (and under federal law), but generally require that the defendant knowingly and intentionally aided and abetted the principal(s) in each essential element of the underlying crime. A person charged with aiding and abetting is often not present when the underlying crime is committed, but has knowledge of the crime before the crime is committed, and assists with the commission of the crime by providing information, action, or financial support. If the person aiding and abetting has a sufficient degree of involvement in the crime, the participation may rise to the level of being a conspiracy to commit the underlying crime.

In Iowa, aiding and abetting is codified under Iowa Code Section 703.1, which states that all persons involved in the commission of a crime, whether they directly commit the act constituting the offense or aid and abet its commission, can be charged and prosecuted as principals. To be convicted of aiding and abetting in Iowa, the state must prove that the defendant knowingly assisted in the commission of a crime, had the intent to facilitate its commission, and that the crime was indeed committed by someone. This assistance can take various forms, such as providing advice, encouragement, or financial support, or by failing to prevent the crime when there is a legal duty to do so. The presence of the defendant at the scene of the crime is not necessary for an aiding and abetting charge. If the involvement is significant enough, the charge can escalate to conspiracy, which involves an agreement to commit a crime and an overt act in furtherance of that crime. Penalties for aiding and abetting are typically the same as for the principal offense.