What is a criminal conspiracy?

A criminal conspiracy is defined as an agreement between two or more individuals to commit an illegal act. This definition emphasizes the collaborative nature of the crime, where at least two parties come together with the intent to engage in activity that violates the law. The key components that characterize a conspiracy include the formation of an agreement, the intent to act upon it, and the illegal nature of the act contemplated.

In terms of criminal law, merely discussing the plan does not constitute a conspiracy; there must be an intention to carry it out, and in many jurisdictions, some overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy is also required, even if that act itself does not need to be illegal.

Understanding this concept is crucial, as conspiracy laws serve to deter groups from planning to commit crimes and facilitate prosecution even when the crime itself has not yet been executed. The agreement itself conveys a willingness to engage in criminal activity, thus posing a threat to society, which justifies legal action before the act is carried out.