FOR MY essay i need to know...?

Question

is premeditating an act of terrorism an unlawful act?

Answer 1

In the United States, it is conspiracy only if you conspire with others. It is unlawful if you obtain explosives, weapons or other items for the sole purpose of using them to commit an act of violence or terrorism.

Otherwise it is just a mental exercise. It is the same if you plan a bank robbery but never act on it.

Answer 2

I agree with the last post. The law surrounding conspiracies is there must be evidence of some move in furtherance of a crime. However, solicitation is different. It is not necessary that the person actually commit the crime, nor is it necessary that the person solicited be willing or able to commit the crime (such as if the "solicitee" were an undercover police officer).
For example, if Alice commands Bob to assault Charlie and Alice intends for Bob to assault Charlie, then Alice is guilty of solicitation. However, if Alice commands Bob to assault Charlie without intending that an actual crime be committed (perhaps believing that Charlie has given consent), then there is no solicitation.

What this means is that Preemeditation is never enough, you must have an act. This act may be solicitation with intent that the crime is commited, punishable even wihout a crime eventually being commited.

Answer 3

its a sticky subject as far as that goes

many people "think" up ways to do something (ie how to murder someone, blow up something) but if they dont act on it, then its not illegal.

However, this is where the "grey" area is, because if its shown to be a pattern of questionable thinking or behavior, then it can be used as means to "arrest" you on a charge of conspiracy to committ the crime.


and of course "terrorism" has to be specifically defined; of what kind of "act" do you consider an act of terrorism?