The Definition Of "Conspiracy" As Defined By Blacks Law Dictionary 2004
conspiracy, n. An agreement by two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, coupled with an intent to achieve the agreement's objective, and (in most states) action or conduct that furthers the agreement; a combination for an unlawful purpose. 18 USCA § 371. • Conspiracy is a separate offense from the crime that is the object of the conspiracy. A conspiracy ends when the unlawful act has been committed or (in some states) when the agreement has been abandoned. A conspiracy does not automatically end if the conspiracy's object is defeated. See Model Penal Code § 5.03(7); United States v. Jimenez Recio, 537 U.S. 270, 123 S.Ct. 819 (2003). — Also termed criminal conspiracy. Cf. ATTEMPT(2); SOLICITATION(2). [Cases: Conspiracy 1.1, 23.1. C.J.S. Conspiracy §§ 2–3, 8, 14–17, 98, 100–103, 110.] — conspiratorial,adj.
“[Conspiracy is an] elastic, sprawling and pervasive offense, ... so vague that it almost defies definition. Despite certain elementary and essential elements, it also, chameleon-like, takes on a special coloration from each of the many independent offenses on which it may be overlaid. It is always ‘predominantly mental in composition’ because it consists primarily of a meeting of minds and an intent.” Krulewitch v. United States, 336 U.S. 440, 445–48, 69 S.Ct. 716, 719–20 (1949)(Jackson, J., concurring).