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 Virginia, aiding and abetting is recognized as a form of accomplice liability. Under Virginia law, a person can be charged with aiding and abetting if they knowingly and intentionally provide assistance to the principal offender in the commission of a crime. This assistance can be in the form of information, action, or financial support. The individual charged with aiding and abetting does not need to be present at the scene of the crime but must be connected to the crime through their actions that facilitated or encouraged the criminal act. The level of involvement can also lead to charges of conspiracy if it is determined that there was an agreement to commit the crime and an overt act in furtherance of that crime. The penalties for aiding and abetting are typically the same as for the principal offense, meaning that an accomplice can face the same charges and sentencing as the person who directly committed the crime.