Accessories to a crime can suffer the same punishment as the main offender. Therefore, the use of synonyms for "accessory to" is critical to understanding criminal law. Some related keywords include accomplice, conspirator, collaborator, co-conspirator, partner in crime, and fellow offender. All of these phrases imply a closely related connection to someone involved in a criminal act, whether through planning, aiding, abetting, or simply being present during the crime's commission. In modern legal usage, many of these phrases have been combined and modified into "aiding and abetting" or co-conspiracy" to emphasize the close association necessary before criminal charges may be imposed for someone who is accessory to a particular crime.