A federal criminal conspiracy case may be brought forward if multiple people decide to commit a crime, make plans to carry it out, and one of them takes action to further the conspiracy. The accused may be held liable for conspiracy even if they never engage in illicit behavior on their own. Depending on the state and the circumstances, it might be either a felony or a misdemeanor.
Learn more about this charge’s fundamentals and the different methods the prosecutor can approach proving it by reading on. In order to schedule a free legal consultation with a knowledgeable federal crimes attorney, call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088.
What does the term “criminal conspiracy” mean?
If a person agreed to commit a crime with at least one other person, intended to carry out the crime, and engaged in an overt act in support of the crime, they may be charged with criminal conspiracy. An attorney for a defendant in a criminal case can deconstruct each of these components of conspiracy law.
What are the repercussions of being found guilty?
Depending on the state and the type of crime the defendants planned to conduct, different sanctions apply when a conspiracy conviction is obtained. In California, conspiracy is a wobbler offense. Both felonies and misdemeanors are eligible for prosecution.
A felony will be prosecuted when two or more defendants plan to commit a criminal crime. Consequences of conviction are equivalent to those of the original offense. A conviction imposes the punishment of the most serious criminal charge or illegal action, if the conspiracy includes many acts.
The maximum punishment for a conspiracy conviction, if the primary offense is a misdemeanor, is up to one year in county jail and/or $10,000 in fines.
The penalties for felonies and misdemeanors in federal conspiracy proceedings also differ. A conviction can result in up to five years in federal prison if the conspiracy has the intent to commit a criminal federal violation. The punishment for conspiracy is the same as the crime committed if the intent was to commit a federal felony.
In situations of conspiracy, prosecutors are granted special privileges
An aspect of conspiracy claims makes defending challenging. In contrast to other cases, prosecutors in federal conspiracy cases may use statements made by conspirators outside of court against the defendant. These assertions are typically taken as hearsay.
Contrarily, in conspiracy cases, conspirators are seen as speaking and acting on one another’s behalf. As a result, prosecutors may use statements made by co-conspirators to support their case. This indicates that these assertions are credible. Those comments might have been made before the defendant joined the plot.
Working with a criminal defense attorney who understands how to effectively defend you is even more important in light of the greater leeway given to prosecutors. Call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 right now for a powerful defense from a knowledgeable lawyer.
