Last updated 14 January 2019

Accessories and parties to crimes are people who did not directly commit the offence but were indirectly involved in the crime at some point. For example, a person who drives a getaway car after a robbery may be a party to the offence of robbery.

Section 7 of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) (Criminal Code) states that it is an offence to:

  • aid
  • abet
  • counsel and/or procure another person to commit a crime.

It is also an offence to be an accessory after the fact (i.e. to receive or assist another person after an offence has been committed). For example, a person who assists a murderer to hide a body may be charged as a party to the offence of murder.