What is the legal definition of conspiracy in criminal law?

The definition of conspiracy in criminal law focuses on the collaborative nature of the crime. An agreement between two or more individuals to commit an offense captures the essence of what constitutes conspiracy. This requirement highlights that there must be a meeting of minds, indicating that more than one person is involved in the planning and intention to engage in criminal activity.

This collaborative aspect is critical because conspiracy is about the planning stages before the actual crime takes place. Each participant in the agreement can be held liable for the actions taken towards the commission of the crime, even if the crime itself is not ultimately executed. Recognizing conspiracy as an agreement places emphasis on the intent and the joint effort involved, which is distinct from actions taken by a single individual, thereby allowing legal authorities to address organized criminal behavior effectively.

In this context, the other choices do not encompass the full legal definition as they either focus on individual actions or propose scenarios that do not involve a collective agreement, which is a core element of conspiracy.