Coperpetration

Coperpetration refers to a concept in criminal law where two or more individuals are considered equally responsible for a crime. This means that each person is held liable for the entire offense, even if their individual contributions varied. The core idea is that when individuals act together with a common purpose to commit a crime, they all share the same criminal liability.

This legal doctrine is distinct from accomplice liability, which often involves degrees of responsibility based on the level of assistance provided. In coperpetration, the focus is on the shared intent and joint action to achieve a criminal objective. For instance, if two people plan and execute a robbery, both are considered coperpetrators and can be charged with and punished for the robbery, regardless of who wielded the weapon or who took the money.

The prosecution typically needs to prove that each individual acted with the necessary mens rea (guilty mind) and actus reus (guilty act) in furtherance of their common criminal design. This often involves demonstrating a plan or agreement, even if it was not explicitly detailed or formalized. Courts consider the actions of each person in the context of the overall criminal enterprise to determine if they qualify as coperpetrators. The principle aims to ensure that all those who actively participate in and contribute to a criminal endeavor are held accountable for its full consequences.