Which statement best defines solicitation?

Which statement best defines solicitation?

• A. Agreeing with another to commit a crime.
• B. Asking someone to commit a crime with the intent that the crime be committed.
• C. Attempting to commit a crime yourself.
• D. Conspiring with others to commit a crime.

Answer: (B)

Solicitation is the act of asking someone else to commit a crime, with the intent that the crime be carried out. The focus is on the requester’s action and mental state—the act of making the request and hoping the crime happens through the other person. This is why the description fits best: it captures both the request and the intent that the crime occur, even if the other person goes on to refuse or is unable to commit it. By contrast, agreeing to commit with another person describes conspiracy, which involves an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime. Attempting to commit a crime yourself is simply an attempt by the solver, not a solicitation of another to commit it. Conspiring with others to commit a crime is also conspiracy, not solicitation.

Solicitation is the act of asking someone else to commit a crime, with the intent that the crime be carried out. The focus is on the requester’s action and mental state—the act of making the request and hoping the crime happens through the other person.

This is why the description fits best: it captures both the request and the intent that the crime occur, even if the other person goes on to refuse or is unable to commit it. By contrast, agreeing to commit with another person describes conspiracy, which involves an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime. Attempting to commit a crime yourself is simply an attempt by the solver, not a solicitation of another to commit it. Conspiring with others to commit a crime is also conspiracy, not solicitation.