What does "aiding and abetting" involve under Missouri law?

Under Missouri law, "aiding and abetting" refers to the act of intentionally assisting another individual in committing an offense. This means that the person providing aid or assistance has knowledge of the criminal activity and actively engages in the process to facilitate the commission of that crime. This principle is rooted in the idea that individuals who aid or encourage criminal behavior share responsibility for the actions taken as part of that crime, even if they do not directly execute the criminal act themselves.

The essence of aiding and abetting lies in the intentionality behind the support provided—whether this assistance is in the form of logistical help, supplying information, or any action that enables or encourages the commission of the crime. In Missouri, the prosecution must demonstrate that the accused had the intent to support the criminal action, thereby making them culpable alongside the principal offender.