Under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), which action can lead to guilt as an aider and abettor?

Under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), which action can lead to guilt as an aider and abettor?

• A. intend to benefit from crime
• B. knowingly aid, abet, counsels, commands, induces or procures the offense
• C. physically perpetrate the crime alone
• D. commit a different crime

Answer: (B)

Under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), you become guilty as an aider and abettor by knowingly providing some form of help or encouragement to the commission of the offense. The language listed—knowingly aid, abet, counsel, command, induce, or procure the offense—covers any act that facilitates the crime, from giving tools or information to urging or arranging it, as long as you are aware of and intend to assist the unlawful act. You don’t have to physically commit the crime yourself to be charged; sharing the criminal purpose and actively aiding makes you a co-perpetrator. Intending to benefit from the crime is a motive, not participation. Physically carrying out the crime alone makes you the principal, not an aider or abettor. Committing a different crime doesn’t show you assisted the specific offense.

Under 18 U.S.C. 2(a), you become guilty as an aider and abettor by knowingly providing some form of help or encouragement to the commission of the offense. The language listed—knowingly aid, abet, counsel, command, induce, or procure the offense—covers any act that facilitates the crime, from giving tools or information to urging or arranging it, as long as you are aware of and intend to assist the unlawful act. You don’t have to physically commit the crime yourself to be charged; sharing the criminal purpose and actively aiding makes you a co-perpetrator.

Intending to benefit from the crime is a motive, not participation. Physically carrying out the crime alone makes you the principal, not an aider or abettor. Committing a different crime doesn’t show you assisted the specific offense.