Terry, Bob and Alicia were out shopping. Alicia wanted a new sweater and didn’t have enough money to buy it. She asks Terry to put the sweater in her handbag and Bob to keep the clerk busy while Terry removes the item from the store. As Bob is asking the clerk to check on whether an item is in stock, Terry gets stopped by store security as she leaves the store. What kind of criminal charges might be brought against Terry? Against Bob or Alicia?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Inchoate offenses are incomplete or unfulfilled criminal acts. With the exception of murder, inchoate offenses subject the perpetrator to the same potential fine and term of imprisonment as a completed criminal act. An overt act or substantial step must be proven. Terry may be charged with attempted larceny an intentional act for the purpose of committing a crime that is more than a mere preparation or planning of the crime. Bob may be charged with conspiracy to commit larceny. Conspiracy is a voluntary agreement between two or more persons to achieve an unlawful or lawful object by means forbidden by law (common law or statutory crime). Alicia may be charged with solicitation. Solicitation involves efforts by one person to encourage another person to commit or attempt to commit a crime by means advising, enticing, inciting, or ordering such act.