US Criminal Law/Preliminary offenses



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Conspiracy and incitement
A conspiracy involves an agreement to commit an unlawful act, and an act in furtherance of that unlawful act. A person found guilty of conspiracy to engage in a crime is generally less-harshly punished than one found guilty of that crime in itself. For example, robbery may be a second-degree felony where conspiracy to commit robbery would be a third-degree felony. In this way, conspiracies are like attempt crimes, which are also generally of a lesser degree.
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Due process
Due process is a legal concept that when followed helps protect the people's fundamental rights in their dealings with the legal system. Due process is guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment. Both state that:

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.


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