{"id":373039,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-aiding-abetting-and-accessory-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-28T14:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:23:04","slug":"illinois-aiding-abetting-and-accessory-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-aiding-abetting-and-accessory-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Aiding, Abetting, and Accessory Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Illinois Aiding, Abetting, and Accessory Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In Illinois, as in all states, criminals face charges for committing a crime. But accessories also get charged for helping the person commit the crime. Even if you aren’t there when the criminal act is committed, Illinois law has charges for aiding, abetting, and supporting<\/a> someone who commits a crime.<\/p>\r\n

The criminal offenses of aiding and abetting<\/a> and accessory fall under the Parties to Crime section of the Illinois Criminal Code. A person becomes a party to a crime if they perform any act that tends to support, promote, or facilitate the commission of the crime.<\/p>\r\n

Aiding, Abetting, and Accessories<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Although "aiding and abetting" are often used with being an "accomplice," these terms have specific legal meanings. Illinois criminal law (ILCS 720 \u00a7 5\/5-2<\/a>) defines an "accessory" as someone legally responsible for the conduct of another when:<\/p>\r\n