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 Idaho, aiding and abetting is addressed under the state's criminal laws. According to Idaho Code § 18-204, a person can be charged with aiding and abetting if they assist in the planning or commission of a crime. The law stipulates that anyone who aids, abets, counsels, encourages, hires, commands, or otherwise procures the commission of a crime may be tried and punished as if they were the principal offender. This means that an accomplice can face the same penalties as the person who directly committed the crime. To be convicted of aiding and abetting in Idaho, the prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly and intentionally provided assistance to the principal offender(s) in the crime. This assistance can take various forms, such as providing information, action, or financial support. The defendant does not need to be present at the scene of the crime to be charged with aiding and abetting. If the involvement is significant enough, it could also be considered a conspiracy to commit the underlying crime, which is a separate offense under Idaho law.