Concerning the charge of 'aiding and abetting'... I get what aiding is, but what is abetting??

Jim G

It sounds a bit repetitive, but whereas "aid" means to "help" or "assist"; "abet" means to "encourage" or "plan".

So, you could aid a criminal by giving him/her shelter; but you're also "abetting", if you're not taking any steps to turn them in to authorities. You'd by default be abetting (encouraging) their unlawfulness by not reporting the crime to the cops even though you have knowledge of it.

You'd also be considered "abetting" if you were helping them plan how to remain unlawful (giving them your car, etc). Yes, that's still "aiding"--but it goes beyond providing the mere assistance; you're also maintaining and prolonging their unlawfulness.

You can check out this link: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm02470.htm for some history about it (though it really doesn't explain why they use the two hand-in-hand).

The wikipedia definition makes a little more sense: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abetting

It basically makes the equation that to you're practically an accomplice.

crazyem

its the same thing. to abet in a crime is to help. maybe it's considered more stuff like being a lookout, but it really means the same thing

luteachris

abetting
n. state of assisting or encouraging

Eve

To bait....to urge on or help..especially in a crime

Lamont T

Aiding and Abetting/Accessory
A criminal charge of aiding and abetting or accessory can usually be brought against anyone who helps in the commission of a crime, though legal distinctions vary by state. A person charged with aiding and abetting or accessory is usually not present when the crime itself is committed, but he or she has knowledge of the crime before or after the fact, and may assist in its commission through advice, actions, or financial support. Depending on the degree of involvement, the offender's participation in the crime may rise to the level of conspiracy.

For example, Andy draws a floor plan of a bank, knowing of Dan's intention to rob it. After Dan commits the robbery, Alice agrees to let him store the stolen money at her house. Both Andy and Alice can be charged with aiding and abetting, or acting as accessories to the robbery.

Read more: Accomplices, Accessories, Aiders, and Abettors

queenbtch3000

I have been asking myself that question since my father was executed by the state and that was the charge he had.

charm1936

Simply put, to aid or abet a crime is to assist in the commission of a crime. In most cases, someone who is guilty of aiding and abetting is not physically present when the crime is committed, but was aware that the crime would be committed before it actually happened.

For example, letâ€™s say that Rita is having coffee with her friend Michael, and Michael tells her that he is planning to rob a 7-Eleven. Michael knows that Rita works for a 7-Eleven, and asks about security procedures. Rita tells Michael that there are security cameras in front of the cash register, but not in the back of the store, which allows Michael to rob the 7-Eleven.

Rita can be charged with aiding and abetting because she (1) Was aware that Michael was going to rob the 7-Eleven; and (2) She gave him information which allowed Michael to commit his crime.

tony c

put simply aiding implies the provision of material help-such as supplying tools or restraining someone while another person assaults them-abetting covers a lesser involvment such as acting as a lookout or driving a get-away vehicle.

INSOMNIAC

Assisting, helping, allowing, making the crime easy to commit.

sirbobby98121

he legal system is full of these tautologies...I think they say it twice [ in different ways ] to make sure we heard them the FIRST time...

Gareth M

I'm a law student... abetting is aiding, encouraging, or assisting in the commission of a crime. Something you don't want to do....LOL Have a good day...

ahsoasho2u2

BLACK LAW DICTIONARY SAYS:

ABETTOR: ONE WHO INSTIGATES A CRIME
ONE WHO INCITES ANOTHER TO COMMIT A CRIME
THUS BECOMING A PRINCIPAL.

AIDING: TO ASSIST IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. (ACCESSORY TO)

TODAY MOST STATES HAVE UPDATED THEIR LAWS TO REFLECT A PRINCIPAL PARTY OF THE CRIME AND AN ACCESSORY TO THAT CRIME.

SOME STATES HAVE NOT OR OPERATE WITH BOTH SO AS TO FIT THE CRIME OR SITUATION.

aiding=helping
abetting=not stopping or reporting

flyingdove

abetting is when you allow a crime to be committed by not reporting it to the proper authorities when you see it being committed.

Gawaine R

I think abetting is more passive. If I hide someone in a secret closet in my house when the police come to look for him, that's aiding. If I tell him of a friend who has such a secret closet, that would be abetting. Otherwise it's true that foreknowledge of a crime is a crime if you don't report it.

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