noun
In criminal law, the doctrine that two or more parties who agree to commit a
particular crime cannot be prosecuted for conspiracy or concerted action if the
agreed-upon crime can be committed only by the exact number of parties
involved. However, if any additional parties also participate in the underlying
crime, all participants may be liable for conspiracy or concerted action. Also
called Wharton Rule. See also concerted
action,
conspiracy, and
tortfeasor.