Which statement about common law accomplice liability is true?

• A. Encourages and Aids
• B. Specific intent that crime be committed
• C. No defense to accomplice
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Common law accomplice liability requires actively aiding or encouraging another to commit a crime, with the intent that the crime be carried out. The act of encouraging or aiding is the conduct element, and the mental state must be that the offense is to be committed. The idea that there is no defense to accomplice liability is tied to the notion that the accomplice can be convicted for the same offense as the principal even if the principal isn’t punished; while there can be narrow defenses (like effective withdrawal before the crime is completed in some cases), the general rule is that accomplice liability attaches when the aiding and the required intent are present. So these points together describe common law accomplice liability: aiding or encouraging, with specific intent that the crime occur, and that there isn’t a broad defense to the liability.