Which type of crime does not require an overt act?

• A. Conspiracy
• B. Theft
• C. Arson
• D. Assault

Answer: (A)

Conspiracy hinges on the agreement to commit a crime. The offense can be complete based on that agreement alone, without any outward action taken toward carrying it out, so an overt act is not required to establish conspiracy in many jurisdictions. This is what makes conspiracy different from the other crimes listed: theft, arson, and assault require an actual action or attempted action (taking property, burning property, or causing or attempting harm). Keep in mind that some jurisdictions do impose an overt act requirement to convict conspiracy, but the fundamental idea tested here is that the agreement itself can constitute the crime without a separate act.