Anderson v. Superior Court case brief

Anderson v. Superior Court (1947)

FACTS

-D, Anderson, worked with a doctor who performed illegal abortions. 

-The defendant received a fee from the doctor for going around and referring the women who wanted abortion to this doctor. 

-Grand jury indicted the defendant for the conspiracy to commit illegal abortions and for substantive offenses of several abortions committed by the doctor. 

-The defendant argues that she can not be prosecuted for the substantive offenses.

ISSUE

-Can the defendant be charged with conspiracy to perform illegal abortions as well as for the other offenses charged?

HOLDING

-Yes

ANALYSIS

-The defendant knew that the doctor was performing illegal abortions and she still decided to join him. 

-The court held that by joining the conspiracy, she became responsible for the substantive offenses committed as part of that conspiracy.