A criminal conspiracy is generally a partnership formed to commit a crime or crimes. A criminal conspiracy exists when two or more persons form an agreement to violate a law that includes criminal penalties, and then take one or more steps designed to accomplish the goal of the conspiracy.

Federal and state statutes make criminal conspiracies illegal for two primary purposes: (1) to help combat the powerful forces created when two or more people collaborate to commit a crime; and (2) to allow criminal prosecutors (state and federal) to prosecute persons who play a role in planning a crime but who are not involved in the physical acts taken to complete the underlying crime.

For example, under federal law, if two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency of the United States in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to accomplish the objective of the conspiracy, each of the conspirators may be fined under and imprisoned for up to five years. See 18 U.S.C. §371. And most states have statutes (usually located in the penal or criminal code) that make criminal conspiracies a crime and include significant punishment upon conviction.

In Utah, criminal conspiracy is defined as an agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime, followed by an overt act in furtherance of the crime. This aligns with the general concept of conspiracy under federal law, which also requires an agreement and an overt act. Utah's statutes, similar to federal law, aim to dismantle the collaborative efforts of individuals planning to commit crimes and to allow for the prosecution of those involved in the planning stages, even if they do not participate in the execution of the crime itself. Under federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 371, conspirators can face fines and imprisonment for up to five years if they conspire to commit an offense against the United States or to defraud the United States or any agency thereof. Utah's state statutes prescribe penalties that may include fines and imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which conspiracy is treated both at the state and federal levels.