Conspiracy

a partnership in crime; the commission of the substantive offense and a conspiracy to commit it are separate and distinct offenses, and so long as the partnership in crime continues the partners act for each other in carrying it forward, the criminal intent to do any act being established by the formation of the conspiracy itself

A combining together of two or more persons to accomplish some unlawful act, or some lawful act by unlawful means; an agreement or combination between two or more persons, falsely to indict, or procure the Indictment of, another.

In criminal law. A combination or confederacy between two or more persons formed for the purpose of committing, by their joint efforts, some unlawful or criminal act, or some act which is innocent in itself, but becomes unlawful when done by the concerted action of the conspirators, or for the purpose of using criminal or unlawful means to the commission of an act not in itself unlawful, The agreement or engagement of persons to co-operate in accomplishing some unlawful purpose, or some purpose which muy not be unlawful, by unlawful means. 48 Me. 218. Conspiracy is a consultation or agreement between two or more persons, either falsely to accuse another of a crime punishable by law; or wrongfully to injure or prejudice a third person, or any body of men, in any manner; or to commit any offense punishable by Jaw; or to do any act with intent to prevent the coursa of justice; or to effect a legal purpose with a corrupt intent, or by improper means. Hawk. P. C. ec, 72, § 2; Archb. Crim. Pl. 390, adding also combinations by journeymeén to raise wages. 6 Ala. 765.

[Lat. conspiratio.] In criminal law. An agreement or combination between two or more persons, falsely to indict, or procure the indictment of another. This is the meaning of the term as used in the statute 33 Edw. I. st. 2; and still retained as descriptive of one species of the offence. 4 £1. Com. 136. 4 Steph, Com, 265. 2 JV, Y, Rev. St. [691,] 677, § 8. subd. 2.

In a more general sense, any confederacy of two or more persons to injure an individual, or do any other unlawful act or acts prejudicial to the community. Steph. Crim, Law, 70. — A combination or agreement between several persons, to carry into effect a purpose hurtful to some individual, or to particular classes of the community, or to the public at large. 4 Steph. Com. 266, and note. 4 Chitty's Bl, Com. 136, notes. 2 JV^. T. Rev. St. uh. sup. To constitute an indictable conspiracy, there must be a combination of two or more persons, by some concerted action, to accomplish some criminal or unlawful purpose, or to accomplish some purpose not in itself criminal or unlawful, by criminal or unlawful means. 4 Metcalf 's R.ll\. But ^ee 4 Steph. Com. ub. sup. The conspiracy itself constitutes the offence, though the purpose of it be not effected. Wh Jar Um^s Amer, Crim. Law, 486. Lewis* U. S, Crim. Law, 206. U. S. Big. Conspiracy.

crim. law, torts. An agreement between two or more persons todo an unlawful act, or any of those acts which become by the combination injurious to others. Formerly this offence was much more circumscribed in its meaning than it isnow. Lord Coke describes it as “a consultation or agreement between two or more to appeal or indict an innocent person falsely and maliciously, whom accordingly they cause to be indicted or appealed; and afterwards the party is acquitted by the verdict of twelve men.” The crime of conspiracy, according to its modern interpretation, may be of twq kinds, namely, conspiracies against the public, or such as endanger the public health, violate public morals, insult public justice, destroy the public peace, or affect public trade or business. To remedy these evils the guilty persons may be indicted in the name of the commonwealth: conspiracies against individuals are such as have a tendency putation or property. The remedy in these cases is either by indictment or by a civilaction. In order to render the offence complete there is no occasion that any act should be done in pursuance of the unlawful agreement entered into between the parties, or that any one should have been defrauded or injured by it; the conspiracy is the gist of the crime.