Criminal law |
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Elements |
Scope of criminal liability |
Severity of offense |
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Inchoate offenses |
Offense against the person |
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Sexual offenses |
Crimes against property |
Crimes against justice |
Crimes against the public |
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Crimes against animals |
Crimes against the state |
Defenses to liability |
Other common-law areas |
Portals |
Under criminal law, a principal is any actor who is primarily responsible for a criminal offense.[1] Such an actor is distinguished from others who may also be subject to criminal liability as accomplices, accessories or conspirators. In both German[2] and Turkish penal codes, "principal" is one of the three types of perpetration prescribed by law.[3]
Some jurisdictions refer to a principal as defined above as a principal in the first degree. Such jurisdictions use the term principal in the second degree to mean someone who is present at the scene of the crime and who aids, abets, or encourages the commission of the crime with the required criminal intent.[4]