Overt Act Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Overt Act.

Overt Act (noun):

An open, identifiable action that might appear innocent or normal but, when connected to a crime's planning or execution, it becomes legally significant. It's an action taken as part of the preparation for a crime and can lead to criminal charges even if the intended crime is not completed. For instance, buying a map could be an overt act if someone uses it to plan a criminal act, like a bombing.