Posted: May 18th, 2017

Tabitha’s boyfriend told her about his plan to rob a bank with a friend. Although Tabitha expressed concerns about the scheme, especially that they might get caught and go to prison, she did not do anything to stop her boyfriend from carrying out his plan. Several days before the robbery was to take place, Tabitha’s boyfriend asked her if she would go to the coffee shop next to the bank, sit outside, and alert him if anything untoward happened outside while the robbery was taking place. Tabitha agreed and did so on the day of the robbery. The robbery was interrupted in progress and the actors were arrested and charged. Under common law rules, can Tabitha be held responsible as a party to the robbery?

Tabitha’s boyfriend told her about his plan to rob a bank with a friend. Although Tabitha expressed concerns about the scheme, especially that they might get caught and go to prison, she did not do anything to stop her boyfriend from carrying out his plan. Several days before the robbery was to take place, Tabitha’s boyfriend asked her if she would go to the coffee shop next to the bank, sit outside, and alert him if anything untoward happened outside while the robbery was taking place. Tabitha agreed and did so on the day of the robbery. The robbery was interrupted in progress and the actors were arrested and charged. Under common law rules, can Tabitha be held responsible as a party to the robbery? (A) No, she cannot be held liable as a party to the crime because she was not directly involved in the criminal enterprise. (B) Yes, she can be held liable as a principal in the first degree. (C) Yes, she can be held liable as a principal in the second degree. (D) Yes, she can be held responsible as an accessory before the fact.