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In criminal law, an overt act (from the French adjective ''ouvert'', open), an open act, one that can be clearly proved by evidence, and from which criminal intent can be inferred, as opposed to a mere intention in the mind to commit a crime. Therefore, it is an act that, while innocent ''per se'', can potentially be used as evidence against someone during a trial to show his/her participation in a crime. For instance, the purchase of a ski mask, which can conceal identity, is an overt act in the planning of a bank robbery.〔http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Overt+Act〕 The term is more particularly employed in cases of treason, which must be demonstrated by some overt or open act. This rule derives from the Treason Act 1695, passed by the Parliament of England, and was adopted by the United States in Article III, Section 3 of the United States Constitution, which provides that "No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." In ''Cramer v. United States'', the Supreme Court ruled that "every act, movement, deed, and word of the defendant charged to constitute treason must be supported by the testimony of two witnesses." In ''Haupt v. United States'', however, the Supreme Court found that two witnesses are not required to prove intent; nor are two witnesses required to prove that an overt act is treasonable. The two witnesses, according to the decision, are required to prove only that the overt act occurred. In criminal conspiracy cases, an overt act must frequently be proven in order to convict the defendants of the crime. == See also == *Scientology (the word 'overt' is used to describe a negative action. See for example Rehabilitation Project Force) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Overt act」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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