Law Commons^™

Towards Attenuation: A 'New' Due Process Limit On Pinkerton Conspiracy Liability, Mark L. Noferi

Mark L Noferi

Since 1946, Pinkerton v. United States has purportedly settled the rule that a conspirator can be held vicariously liable for the crimes of his co-conspirators. Over the last thirty years, however, courts have begun to articulate and enforce Due Process limits on vicarious conspiracy liability where defendants are "attenuated" from their co-conspirator's crimes. This article represents the first academic examination of constitutional Due Process limits on Pinkerton conspiracy liability, their theoretical underpinnings, and the implications as the federal government pursues terrorism and corporate conspiracy prosecutions.