An attempt to contract for an illegal purpose—to commit a murder or other crime or to facilitate an illegal objective (a promissory note for the purchase of illegal drugs)—is unenforceable and does not create a contract. A purported contract that is found to be for an illegal purpose is void and treated as if it never existed.
In Alaska, as in all states, a contract that is created for an illegal purpose is considered void and unenforceable. This means that if a contract's objective is to commit a crime, such as murder, or to facilitate an illegal activity, such as the purchase of illegal drugs, it is treated as if it never existed. The law does not recognize such agreements as valid contracts, and the courts will not enforce any terms or conditions outlined within them. This principle is rooted in the public policy consideration that the law should not be used to promote or condone illegal activities. Therefore, any agreement made with the intent of carrying out an illegal act is without legal effect from the outset.