Under the Model Penal Code, withdrawal is allowed if the withdrawing party what?

• A. Testifies against the conspirators
• B. Thwarts the conspiracy
• C. The target offense is completed
• D. Withdrawal is never allowed

Answer: (B)

Withdrawal from a conspiracy under the Model Penal Code happens when a conspirator renounces the criminal plan and takes timely, affirmative steps to prevent its success. The emphasis is on actively defeating the scheme and cutting off participation before the offense is carried out, including notifying the other conspirators (and ideally authorities) of the withdrawal and taking steps to neutralize the plan.

That aligns with the option describing thwarting the conspiracy. By actively preventing the plan from succeeding, the withdrawing party shows a real withdrawal of criminal purpose before the crime is committed, which the MPC recognizes as a way to avoid liability for conspiracy.

Testifying against others isn’t the defining requirement, and once the target offense has been completed, withdrawal won’t undo the conspiracy. Saying withdrawal is never allowed is simply incorrect.