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 Nebraska, aiding and abetting is addressed under the state's criminal statutes as a form of accomplice liability. According to Nebraska law, a person can be charged with aiding and abetting if they intentionally provide help or support to the principal offender(s) in committing a crime. This assistance can be in the form of information, action, or financial support. The individual charged with aiding and abetting does not need to be present at the scene of the crime but must have knowledge of the crime either before or during its commission and act with the intent to facilitate it. The level of involvement can be significant enough to constitute a conspiracy if the person not only aids and abets but also agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of the crime, and any one of them takes an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. The penalties for aiding and abetting or conspiracy to commit a crime in Nebraska are generally commensurate with the penalties for the underlying offense.