Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
principal in the second degree
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Read Next
Law legal system crime concept with gavel and scales of justice with books in the background. (mallet, judicial system).
What Are the Differences Between First-, Second-, and Third-Degree Murder?
Law, Legislation, Document
What Is an Injunction?
ripped torn flag, pirate, skull
Are There Laws on the High Seas?
Wood gavel, soundblock, scales and stack of old books against the background of a row of antique books bound in leather.
What Is the Difference Between Criminal Law and Civil Law?
Discover
Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1855), founder of the house of Rothschild; lithograph by Friedrich Lieder, c. 1830.
Where Do Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories About the Rothschild Family Come From?
Confucius statue at a Confucian Temple in Shanghai, China. Confucianism religion
What is the Difference Between Daoism and Confucianism?
Santa Claus flying in his sleigh, christmas, reindeer
Was Santa Claus a Real Person?
Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader).
9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler
Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.
10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci
Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that
America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)

principal in the second degree

law
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Related Topics:
accomplice
degree
See all related content

principal in the second degree, person who assists another in the commission of a crime and is present when the crime is being committed but does not actually participate in the crime. For example, an individual standing guard at the door during the armed robbery of a service station would be considered a principal in the second degree. The courts typically treat a principal in the second degree just as they treat the perpetrator, handing down the same sentence.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeannette L. Nolen.