Legal Definitions - pari delicto, in

Pari delicto, in means "equally at fault" in Latin. It is used to describe a situation where both parties involved in a wrongdoing are equally responsible for the illegal act.

For example, if two people agree to rob a bank together, they are both in pari delicto because they are equally responsible for the crime.

In legal cases, if both parties are in pari delicto, the court may deny relief because they are equally at fault.

Particeps criminis is a similar term that means "accomplice in a crime."

• Two friends agree to sell drugs together. They are both in pari delicto because they are equally responsible for the illegal activity.
• A company and an employee engage in bribery to win a contract. Both parties are in pari delicto because they are equally responsible for the illegal act.

These examples illustrate how both parties involved in a wrongdoing can be equally responsible and therefore in pari delicto.