wharton's rule

Main Entry: Whar·ton's Rule
Pronunciation: 'hwort-^&nz-
Function: noun
Etymology: after Francis Wharton (1820–89), American lawyer and author, who formulated it
: a rule that prohibits the prosecution of two persons for conspiracy to commit a particular offense when the offense in question can only be committed by at least two persons
NOTE: Wharton's Rule does not apply when legislative intent is to the contrary (as when the legislation imposes a separate punishment for conspiracy to commit a particular crime).