Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: Anyone who commits a crime or aids, abets, counsels, hires, or otherwise procures another person to commit a crime is a principal in the first degree and may be charged and convicted as if they personally committed the offense.
Category: Criminal Offenses · Statute: F.S. 777.011 · Source: Florida Legislature
Florida Statute 777.011"Whoever commits any criminal offense against the state, whether felony or misdemeanor, or aids, abets, counsels, hires, or otherwise procures such offense to be committed... is a principal in the first degree."
What This Means
In Florida, there is no distinction between the person who commits the crime and the person who helps. The getaway driver, the lookout, and the person inside the bank are all charged as principals with the same penalties.
Bail Impact
Principals are charged with the same offense as the primary actor: if the crime is armed robbery (1st degree felony), everyone involved faces the same charge and similar bail.