Find a Qualified Attorney Near You
Find a Qualified Attorney Near You
Search by legal issue and/or location
Enter information in one or both fields. (Required)
term:
Wharton’s Rule
wharton’s rule n
[after Francis Wharton (1820-89), American lawyer and author, who formulated it]
: a rule that prohibits the prosecution of two persons for conspiracy to commit a particular offense when the offense in question can only be committed by at least two persons NOTE: Wharton’s Rule does not apply when legislative intent is to the contrary (as when the legislation imposes a separate punishment for conspiracy to commit a particular crime).
Source: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.