What role does a principal in the first degree have in a crime?

A principal in the first degree is defined as the person who actually commits the crime or is the main actor in the criminal offense. This means that the law holds the principal accountable for the actions taken during the commission of the crime. In this context, the principal is treated as if they committed all the actions of the accomplice because they are legally recognized as the primary perpetrator of the offense.

The binding principle is that actions executed by an accomplice in conjunction with the principal contribute to the overall commission of the crime. Therefore, if an accomplice aids or abets the crime, the principal can be held responsible for those actions as well, assuming they were undertaken to facilitate the crime. This collective attribution of action is rooted in the legal doctrine that emphasizes accountability among those who conspire to commit an offense, ensuring that the principal bears full responsibility for both their own actions and those executed by any accomplices.