accessory before the fact
1
8.9
- noun
- /ækˈsɛsəri bɪˈfɔr ðə fækt/
- Specialized
:
cómplice antes del hecho
- Even if you didn't drive the car you are an accessory before the fact.
Examples
-
Darlington's and you, accessories before the fact...
Fiction book (1995) -
If you don't tell me all you know, you become an accessory before the fact of murder.
-
We may want to investigate you as an accessory before the fact.
Fiction book (2000) -
Both men were found guilty of the crime, with Lloyd being convicted as an accessory before the fact.
Academic text (2011) -
To the law, you're an accessory before the fact.
-
I was what you'd call an accessory before the fact and an accessory after the fact.
Fiction book (1997) -
We want no lawsuits suggesting Intangibles is an accessory before the fact.
Fiction book (2000) -
Both men were found guilty of the crime, with Lloyd being convicted as an accessory before the fact.
-
If you don't tell me all you know, you become an accessory before the fact of murder.
-
Cameron was convicted of being an accessory before the fact to voluntary manslaughter.
Synonyms
A person who helps someone avoid arrest after they commit a crime
How Involved
481
3.6
172
6.7
- Specialized
1
8.9
- Specialized
7
8.4
84
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
accessory + before + the + fact
The phrase is directly compositional: 'accessory' denotes someone who assists in a crime and 'before the fact' literally means prior to the event, so a learner who knows both parts can infer a person who aids or encourages a crime before it occurs. Although legal in register, the logical temporal contrast with 'after the fact' is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, making the meaning accessible to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Accessory before the fact comes from the image of a person who is an accessory, a helper who gives plans, money, or tools before the fact, that is, before the crime happens. So it means someone who 'helps or encourages a crime' but is 'not present' when the crime is done.