Knowra Inchoate offense Inchoate offense An inchoate offense criminalizes conduct directed toward committing another crime, such as attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, even when that crime is not completed.
Criminal intent : A culpable mental state required for many crimes, including intent to bring about a prohibited result. Intent to commit the target crime often distinguishes an inchoate offense from innocent conduct.
Criminal conspiracy : An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, often accompanied by an overt act. Conspiracy makes the agreement itself, and sometimes a further act, criminal.
Completed offense : A crime whose required conduct and circumstances have been completed. Inchoate liability applies when the intended offense remains incomplete.
Model Penal Code : A 1962 model statute that organizes and standardizes criminal law principles for adoption by U.S. jurisdictions. Its provisions offer a prominent framework for attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation.
Actus reus : The voluntary act or legally recognized omission that forms the external element of a crime. Inchoate liability usually requires conduct beyond a culpable thought.
Criminal solicitation : The offense of intentionally encouraging, requesting, or commanding another person to commit a crime. Solicitation can be complete once the criminal request is made, even if it is refused.
Preparation (criminal law) : Conduct arranging or enabling a crime that has not yet crossed the legal threshold for attempt. The line between preparation and attempt limits punishment for remote plans.
Pinkerton liability : A U.S. doctrine holding conspirators liable for certain foreseeable crimes committed by fellow conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy. Conspiracy can extend responsibility beyond the agreement to related completed offenses.
Mens rea : The mental state that a criminal offense requires, such as purpose, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence. Each inchoate offense specifies a mental state tied to the intended crime or agreement.
Overt act : An outward act that manifests a criminal agreement or purpose, when required by the offense. Some conspiracy laws require a step beyond the agreement before liability attaches.
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