It means that you either knew about a crime before it was committed or you participated in the planning of a crime. This term is now either, conspiracy or accomplice. Both terms carry long prison sentences
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accessory before the fact - a person who procures or advises or commands the commission of a felony but who is not present at its perpetration
An accessory after the fact is a person who assists or protects someone wanted by the police in connection with a crime.
An accessory before the fact is a person who commands or counsels an offence, but is not present at the time the offence is committed.