Principal (criminal law)

Criminal law
Part of the common law series
Elements
Actus reus Mens rea Causation Concurrence
Scope of criminal liability
Complicity Corporate Vicarious
Seriousness of offense
Felony Misdemeanor
Inchoate offenses
Attempt Conspiracy Incitement Solicitation
Offence against the person
Alienation of affection Assassination Assault Battery Criminal negligence Exhibitionism False imprisonment Homicide Kidnapping Manslaughter (corporate) Mayhem Murder corporate Negligent homicide Rape Robbery Sexual assault Statutory rape Vehicular homicide
Crimes against property
Arson Blackmail Bribery Burglary Embezzlement Extortion False pretenses Fraud Larceny Possessing stolen property Robbery Smuggling Tax evasion Theft
Crimes against justice
Compounding Malfeasance in office Miscarriage of justice Misprision Obstruction Perjury Perverting the course of justice
Vice Crimes
Adultery Blasphemy Buggery Criminal conversation Fornication Gambling Incest Interracial marriage Lewd and lascivious behavior Prostitution Recreational drug use Sodomy Suicide
Crimes against animals
Cruelty to animals Wildlife smuggling Bestiality
Defences to liability
Automatism Consent Defence of property Diminished responsibility Duress Entrapment Ignorantia juris non excusat Infancy Insanity Justification Mistake (of law) Necessity Provocation Self-defence
Other common-law areas
Contracts Evidence Property Torts Wills, trusts and estates
Portals
Criminal justice Law

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.

See also

• Principal (commercial law)

Notes and references