n. 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, tortfeasor.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.