accessory before the fact

In criminal law, an accessory before the fact is someone who knowingly and voluntarily aids a criminal before a crime is committed. This is a type of accomplice. While common law distinguished between accessories before the fact and abettors (those who aid during the crime), modern U.S. law often treats all accomplices as principals, meaning the distinction is largely abolished. An accessory after the fact, who aids a criminal after a crime has occurred, is typically considered a separate offense, such as obstruction of justice, rather than an accomplice to the original crime.12