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 Tennessee, aiding and abetting is recognized as a form of criminal liability under the state's criminal statutes. A person can be charged with aiding and abetting if they intentionally help, encourage, or facilitate the commission of a crime. Tennessee law does not require the accomplice to be physically present at the scene of the crime; knowledge of the crime and providing assistance before or during the commission of the crime is sufficient for charges to be brought. This assistance can take various forms, such as providing information, tools, or financial support. If the involvement of the person aiding and abetting is significant, they may also face charges of conspiracy, which involves an agreement to commit a crime and an overt act in furtherance of that crime. The penalties for aiding and abetting are typically the same as those for the principal offender of the underlying crime.