What best defines conspiracy in the context of planning a crime?

• A. Two or more persons planning a crime.
• B. A single person planning a crime.
• C. An act committed without planning.
• D. A violent crime against a person.

Answer: (A)

Conspiracy hinges on an agreement between at least two people to commit a crime, with the intent to achieve it, and often an act in furtherance. That shared plan and collaboration is what distinguishes conspiracy from solitary planning or an isolated attempt. Because of that, the definition that involves two or more persons best captures what conspiracy is. A single person planning does not meet the requirement of multiple participants. An act committed without planning isn’t conspiracy, since there’s no agreed plan. And describing a violent crime focuses on the type of offense, not the collaborative agreement that defines conspiracy.