A criminal charge of aiding and abetting is known as an accomplice crime, and may be brought against anyone who helps with the commission of a crime. Aiding and abetting charges vary from state to state (and under federal law), but generally require that the defendant knowingly and intentionally aided and abetted the principal(s) in each essential element of the underlying crime. A person charged with aiding and abetting is often not present when the underlying crime is committed, but has knowledge of the crime before the crime is committed, and assists with the commission of the crime by providing information, action, or financial support. If the person aiding and abetting has a sufficient degree of involvement in the crime, the participation may rise to the level of being a conspiracy to commit the underlying crime.

In Florida, aiding and abetting is addressed under the state's criminal laws concerning the principle of complicity. Under Florida Statutes, specifically Section 777.011, a person who aids, abets, counsels, hires, or otherwise procures the commission of a criminal offense can be charged as a principal to the crime. This means that an individual who assists in the planning or execution of a crime, even if not present during the commission of the crime itself, can be held criminally liable to the same extent as the person who actually commits the offense. The law requires that the person charged with aiding and abetting had a conscious intent that the criminal act be done and took some action or gave some direction that helped the crime to be completed. The charge of aiding and abetting in Florida can apply to any criminal offense and carries the same penalties as if the accomplice had personally committed the crime.