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 Ohio, aiding and abetting is addressed under the state's complicity statute. According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.03, a person can be charged with complicity if they act with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense and they aid or abet another in committing the offense, conspire with another to commit the offense, or cause an innocent or irresponsible person to commit the offense. The law does not require the accomplice to be physically present at the scene of the crime; it is sufficient if they provided assistance or encouragement before or during the commission of the crime. The accomplice can be prosecuted and punished as if they were the principal offender. This means that someone charged with aiding and abetting in Ohio could face the same penalties as the person who directly committed the crime, depending on their level of involvement and the nature of the crime committed.
