According to federal law, the first step of a conspiracy is for a person to discuss committing a crime with one or more other people. The moment one of those people takes a step to carry out the crime, that plan is then officially a conspiracy and can be prosecuted accordingly.
Keep in mind that the step that person took toward the crime doesn’t have to be illegal in and of itself. In fact, the person being charged with conspiracy doesn’t even have to have been involved in that action. Consider this example: You discussed robbing a bank with a friend. You discussed the specifics of the plan, which would involve rope. If that friend then went and bought rope for the robbery, then you could be charged with conspiracy.
The penalties for conspiracy can be significant
In most cases, the actual penalties given out for a conspiracy conviction will vary based on how serious the crime was. As an example, if a person was charged with conspiracy to commit rape, then they can bet that their charge will be a felony – because rape is a felony. If the case in question involves more than one crime, then the penalties given out are likely to be in response to the most serious of the crimes.
On the other hand, consider something like a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud. In that case, the prosecutor would have the option of charging you with a felony or a misdemeanor. Depending on how you’re charged and how much evidence there is against you, the consequences could be relatively minor or life-changing. Either way, you need an experienced attorney on your side. You need Chambers Law Firm.
You have numerous options for defending yourself
There are a few different ways we may defend you against a charge of conspiracy. First, we might work to show that you weren’t involved in the conspiracy at all. Second, we may work to show that you didn’t commit the crime that was planned through the conspiracy. We can work to show that there wasn’t an agreement at all for you to take part in the conspiracy, that you withdrew before the crime was committed, or that the crime didn’t occur in the first place.
Call today for your free legal evaluation
These cases can be incredibly complex. As a result, you need a defense attorney who has experience. You need an attorney who is creative, aggressive, and effective. You need Chambers Law Firm. Call today to get a free case evaluation. You can count on our offices to fight aggressively to find the best possible outcome for you.
