New York Private Investigator Regulations Practice Exam

What is defined as a combination of two or more people to accomplish a criminal or unlawful act?

1. Cohabitation

2. Conspiracy

3. Collusion

4. Fraud

The correct answer is: Conspiracy

The term that refers to a combination of two or more people to accomplish a criminal or unlawful act is "conspiracy." In legal terms, conspiracy involves an agreement between two or more parties to commit a crime at some point in the future, along with an overt act taken in furtherance of that agreement. It is not necessary for the crime to be completed for the conspiracy to be charged; the mere agreement and any steps taken toward that goal can be sufficient for prosecution. Cohabitation, on the other hand, refers to people living together in a long-term relationship, typically without formal legal recognition. Collusion involves secretive or deceitful agreements between parties, often in contexts such as business competition or legal proceedings but does not necessarily encapsulate the concept of committing a criminal act together. Fraud implies deception for personal gain but does not specifically denote a collaborative effort to undertake illicit activities. Thus, conspiracy specifically identifies the collaboration to carry out an unlawful act, making it the correct choice.