Principals

Parties to a Crime: Principals

Introduction to Principals

A principal in the first degree is a person who, with the requisite intent, actually engages in the criminal act that causes the harm. A principal in the second degree is a party who aids, counsels, enables, or commands the principal in the first degree in the commission of the crime and is present at the time of the crime. A person who is not at the immediate crime scene may, nonetheless, be a principal in the second degree if he or she is considered constructively present-for example, by being close enough to render assistance in the commission of the crime. For example, the driver of a getaway car might be constructively present and therefore a principal in the second degree.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Principals in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Principals

In this Section

Criminal Law Elements (including Wrongful Act and Mental Fault), Defenses to Crimes (including Insanity, Age, Intoxication, Duress, Mistake, Self-Defense and Entrapment) and Crime Parties (including Principals

and Accessories).