§ 4-204. Accessory before the fact

   (a) "Accessory before the fact" and "principal" defined. -- In this section, the words "accessory before the fact" and "principal" have their judicially determined meanings.

(b) Accessory before the fact and principal -- Compared. -- Except for a sentencing proceeding under § 2-304 of the Criminal Law Article:

   (1) the distinction between an accessory before the fact and a principal is abrogated; and

   (2) an accessory before the fact may be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced as a principal.

(c) Accessory liability not linked to principal. -- An accessory before the fact may be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced for a crime regardless of whether a principal in the crime has been:

   (1) charged with the crime;

   (2) acquitted of the crime; or

   (3) convicted of a lesser or different crime.

(d) Venue. -- If a crime is committed in the State, an accessory before the fact may be charged, tried and convicted, and sentenced in a county where:

   (1) an act of accessoryship was committed; or

   (2) a principal in the crime may be charged, tried and convicted, and sentenced.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 592A; 2001, ch. 10, § 2; ch. 35; 2002, ch. 26, § 12; ch. 213, § 6; 2013, ch. 156, § 3.