Seditious conspiracy is a criminal offense that involves two or more individuals conspiring or agreeing to overthrow, destroy, or otherwise oppose the authority of a government or its institutions by force or violence. This offense is typically associated with activities that undermine the stability of a government or challenge its lawful authority.
In the United States, seditious conspiracy is a federal crime, punishable under Title 18, Section 2384 of the U.S. Code. The law states that if two or more people conspire to:
1. Overthrow, put down, or destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them;
2. Oppose by force the authority of the United States Government;
3. Prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States; or
4. Seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof,
they shall be fined or imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both.
Seditious conspiracy charges are relatively rare, as the activities in question must pose a genuine threat to the government or its institutions. The prosecution must prove that the accused individuals had a specific intent to use force or violence in furtherance of their conspiracy, and that they took overt actions to advance their plans. Merely expressing opposition to the government or advocating for change does not constitute seditious conspiracy, as these activities are protected under the First Amendment's right to [[free speech (1A)]].
It is essential to differentiate seditious conspiracy from other related offenses, such as treason, which involves betraying one's country by waging war against it or providing aid and comfort to its enemies. Additionally, sedition is a separate crime that involves inciting others to rebel against the authority of a government or its institutions through speech, writing, or other means of communication.
See also: [[anti-government]]