Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 371: Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law makes it a crime for two or more people to agree to commit a federal offense or defraud the United States, with at least one taking action toward that goal. Punishment is up to five years imprisonment, or less if the underlying offense is a misdemeanor.

Read the full statutory text

If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. If, however, the offense, the commission of which is the object of the conspiracy, is a misdemeanor only, the punishment for such conspiracy shall not exceed the maximum punishment provided for such misdemeanor.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.