Conspiracy Quote by Neal Katyal
“Prosecutors use the conspiracy doctrine to punish two or more people who merely agree to commit a criminal act. They don't even have to actually perform the act; they just need to have agreed to do so.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Lecture: Conspiracy Doctrine, 2015
Criminal liability can arise from mere agreement, highlighting the power of collective intent.
In simple terms: Agreement can be criminal.
Key Takeaway
Beware of conspiratorial agreements.
Themes
law
ethics
collective responsibility
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- corporate compliance
- political activism
- online forums
Key Concepts
criminal law
mens rea
policy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is agreement merely discussion?
- How to protect free speech while preventing crime?
A Different Perspective
Over‑broad application may punish thought alone.
![“I can assure the conspiracy theorists who have very effectively savaged [Gerald] Posner in their books that they're going to have a much, much more difficult time with me. As a trial lawyer in front of a jury and an author of true-crime books, credibility has always meant everything to me. My only…” quote by Vincent Bugliosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/314/vincent-bugliosi-8709_book_i-can-assure-the-conspiracy-theorists-wh_47158.jpg)
