LawMeaning

collusion

In one sentence

A secret agreement between two or more people to defraud or deceive others or to accomplish an unlawful purpose.

Plain English

Collusion is when two or more people secretly agree to work together to cheat, defraud, or deceive someone else. It's a hidden conspiracy to do something wrong—maybe to fix prices, rig a lawsuit, or commit fraud. Collusion is illegal in many contexts, from antitrust law (where competitors collude to raise prices) to family law (where spouses might collude to hide assets in a divorce). The key element is the secret agreement and the intent to harm or deceive.

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Example

Two construction companies secretly agreed to bid on a government contract at artificially high prices and split the work between them. This collusion violated antitrust laws and resulted in criminal charges.

Used in a sentence

“The prosecutor alleged collusion between the defendant and a witness to fabricate evidence.”

Related terms

bribery of a witness
Offering money or benefits to a witness to influence their testimony or prevent them from testifying.
criminal intent
The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.
Mens Rea
The guilty mind or criminal intent required to establish most crimes.
extortion
Obtaining money, property, or services from someone through coercion, typically using threats or intimidation.
Unjust Enrichment
A legal claim when someone gains money or benefit unfairly at another's expense.
Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Castle Doctrine
A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.
Expungement
A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.