Legal Definitions - common scheme

Definition: A common scheme is a plan or design that is shared among multiple individuals or groups. It is often used in legal contexts to describe a pattern of behavior that is similar among different cases.

Example: In a fraud case, the prosecutor may argue that the defendant used a common scheme to deceive multiple victims. For example, the defendant may have used a similar sales pitch or promised the same false returns to each victim.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a common scheme can be used to show a pattern of behavior. By demonstrating that the defendant used a similar approach with each victim, the prosecutor can argue that the defendant had a deliberate plan to defraud people. This can be helpful in proving intent and establishing a pattern of criminal behavior.