How do Criminal Conspiracy and Civil Conspiracy Differ?
Criminal conspiracy is a crime, meaning it is the government that punishes a conspirator for their actions. In some states you can face punishment ranging from jail time for 2 to 30 years, or serious fines. Criminal conspiracy is generally a crime once two or more people agree to an unlawful objective. Some states also require an unlawful act in furtherance of the conspiracy to be found guilty. Civil conspiracy is a tort, or civil wrong. A private person is the one who sues and is awarded damages if they are injured by a conspiracy. Civil conspiracy only exists when you are injured as a result of an unlawful act in furtherance of the conspiracy. That means, if you are only injured because of the agreement to commit a crime by two or more people, you have no cause of action. Additionally, those who injure you as a result of their unlawful act in furtherance of a conspiracy are jointly and severally liable for your damages. That means that any of the conspirators are liable for all of yo
