When is a conspirator liable for the crimes of other members of the conspiracy?

A conspirator is liable for the crimes of other members of the conspiracy when those crimes were foreseeable and in furtherance of the conspiracy. This principle is rooted in the notion that when individuals agree to commit a crime as a group, they each bear responsibility for the broader objectives of that conspiracy, including any crimes that are a natural and probable consequence of their agreement.

The foreseeability requirement means that a conspirator can only be held liable for crimes that any reasonable person in their position would have predicted could occur as part of the conspiracy's activities. They must have also been committed in furtherance of the common goals of the conspiracy. This encourages accountability among the members of the conspiracy, as each individual must be cognizant of the potential scope of criminal activities that could arise from their collective actions.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of this liability principle. Covering up a crime does not inherently make one liable for the underlying offense unless it is part of the conspiracy's agreed activities. Being the leader of the conspiracy does not automatically impose liability for all crimes committed by other members unless those crimes meet the criteria of foreseeability and furthering the conspiracy. Participation in the crime, while an indicator of involvement, does not establish liability for the broader actions of the conspiracy