ABETTOR (from " to abet," O. Fr. abeter, d and beter, to bait, urge

See also:

• DOGS, ISLE OF

dogs upon any one ; this word is probably of Scandinavian origin, meaning to cause to bite)  , a law term implying one who instigates, encourages or assists another to commit an offence . An abettor differs from an accessory (q.v.) in that he must be present at the commission of the crime; all abettors(with certain exceptions) are principals, and, in the absence of specific statutory provision to the contrary, are punishable to the same extent as the actual perpetrator of the offence . A person may in certain cases be convicted as an abettor in the commission of an offence in which he or she could not be a principal, e.g. a woman or boy under fourteen years of age in aiding rape, or a solvent person in aiding and abetting a bankrupt to commit offences against the bankruptcy laws .