What is a conspiracy? Define conspiracy, state the three main types discussed in the text, and briefly describe each

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There are three basic types of conspiracy:
• Wheel conspiracies. One person at the "hub" conspires individually with two or more persons who make up the "spokes" of the wheel. For the conspiracy to be (legally) complete, the wheel needs a "rim": each of the spokes must be aware of and agree with each other in pursuit of at least one objective.
• Chain conspiracies. Like the lights on a Christmas tree, each conspirator is dependent on the successful participation of every other member. Each member is a "link" who understands that the success of the scheme depends upon everyone in the chain.
• Enterprise conspiracies. The RICO enterprise conspiracy avoids the practical limitations inherent in proving wheel and chain conspiracies. The statute makes it a separate crime to conspire to violate state or federal law as the result of an agreement to participate in an enterprise by engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity. The enterprise must be an ongoing organization, legitimate or illegitimate, formal or informal, whose associates operate as a continuous unit and they need not be economically motivated. Members of the conspiracy need not know each other or even be aware of each other's criminal activities. All that needs to be shown is each member's agreement to participate in the organization—the enterprise—by committing two or more acts of racketeering such as gambling or drug violations within a 10-year period (a pattern of racketeering). The enterprise conspiracy facilitates mass trials with each member of the enterprise subject to the significant penalties—20 years' imprisonment on each count—that can result from a conviction.