Elements of Aiding and Abetting.

• A. Only knowledge of the crime is required
• B. The crime must be planned but not completed
• C. The crime must actually be committed; knowledge of crime; affirmative act of association
• D. The defendant must have personally committed the crime

Answer: (C)

Aiding and abetting hinges on three parts: there must be the actual commission of the crime by someone, the person charged must know about what’s happening, and the accused must take an affirmative step that assists or encourages the offense. The crime being committed by another shows there’s a target for the assistance, while knowledge ensures the aider isn’t acting by accident or out of ignorance. The key element is an affirmative act of association or aid—something tangible the actor does to help bring the crime to fruition. The defendant does not have to personally commit the crime themselves; they can be charged for aiding and abetting because they knowingly and actively helped. That’s why this option is the best: it combines actual commission, knowledge, and a concrete act of support. The other choices fall short because mere knowledge isn’t enough without an aiding action, planning without completion isn’t required, and personal commission isn’t necessary for liability as an aider or abettor.