One of the most common, yet misunderstood, legal terms is “aid and abet.” This phrase has been widely used in the legal system since the mid-eighteenth century when it was documented in the American judicial cases of United States v. Hancock and Lepage’s. In more general terms, “aid and abet” is used when one individual, party or organization helps another individual, party or organization in an undertaking.
The phrase is often misinterpreted by the general public as suggesting that the individual or organization that aids and abets actually has to be present at the scene of the criminal activity or have knowledge of it. However, this is not the case and the term “aid and abet” has a much broader meaning.
The legal definition of “aid and abet” is quite simple: it is “the act of intentionally aiding, abetting, or inducing someone else to commit a crime.” In other words, the person providing aid and abet need not be directly involved in the criminal activity or have knowledge of it, but simply act as an accessory or facilitator to the illegal act. For example, if a store owner supplies a tool to a person who then uses that tool to commit a crime, the store owner can still be held accountable for aiding and abetting the criminal.
The Impact of ‘Aid and Abet’
In the modern legal system, the ability to bring a claim against someone for “aid and abet” can be an important litigation tool. For example, the federal government has recently used the term “aid and abet” in the context of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which punishes those who aid and abet a company in a foreign bribery scheme.
Therefore, it is important for parties to understand the implications of “aid and abet” in the legal system and be aware of the potential consequences of helping another individual, party or organization to commit a criminal act. By understanding the legal implications of “aid and abet,” parties can take steps to protect themselves and remain within the law.