What are the essential elements of conspiracy?

• A. Intent that the crime be committed; agreement to commit the crime; overt act by at least one conspirator to effectuate it.
• B. Intent to commit a crime but no agreement is required.
• C. Only overt act is needed.
• D. The crime must be completed before conspiracy exists.

Answer: (A)

Conspiracy requires a joint criminal purpose and steps toward carrying it out. The essential elements are: there must be an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, an intent that the crime be committed, and an overt act by at least one conspirator in furtherance of the agreement. Each piece matters: the agreement shows a shared plan, the intent demonstrates a purpose to commit the crime, and the overt act shows action taken to advance the plan. When all three are present, conspiracy liability attaches even before the crime itself is completed. If there’s only intent without agreement, there’s no conspiracy; if there’s only an overt act without agreement and intent, that doesn’t make conspiracy; and conspiracy does not require the crime to be finished to exist.