Course: Criminal Law
In the criminal law context, facilitation refers to the act of providing assistance or resources to facilitate the commission of a crime.
This can include things like providing false documents, money laundering, or harboring someone who is wanted for a crime. A person who facilitates a crime can be held liable for that crime even if they did not directly participate in its commission. The level of liability for a facilitator can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case. For example, in some jurisdictions, a person who knowingly and intentionally facilitates a crime can be charged with a separate crime of facilitation and face the same penalties as a person who committed the crime directly. In other jurisdictions, a person who unknowingly or unintentionally facilitates a crime may not be held criminally liable.