An accessory crime is a legal term that refers to someone who helps or contributes to the commission or concealment of a crime without directly participating in it. Accessories can be categorized as either “accessory before-the-fact” or “accessory after-the-fact”: Accessory before-the-fact

Someone who learns of a crime before it happens and helps in some way. This could include providing materials, offering advice, or encouraging the perpetrator.

Accessories differ from accomplices, who actively participate in the crime with the perpetrator. However, some factors, such as knowledge and intent, can differentiate accessories from companions. For example, in California, the prosecution must prove that the defendant knew of the perpetrator’s criminal intent and took some action to help them.

Penalties for being an accessory to a crime vary by jurisdiction. For example, in Louisiana, an accessory after-the-fact can face up to five years in prison and a $500 fine, but their sentence can’t be more than half of the maximum penalty for the main offender. In Los Angeles, a felony accessory charge can result in up to three years in jail or prison, as well as fines.