There are several frustrating aspects of being charged with conspiracy, including the fact that it is one of the few charges a person can face when they have not actually gone through with committing a crime. Even if no one has been injured, drugs have not been sold, property has not been damaged, no one has been threatened or robbed – you could still face charges.
A person can technically be charged with conspiracy for making an attempt to commit most any crime, but prosecutors generally focus on charging only felony cases. If you have been charged, or have reason to believe that you may be, contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
The most common examples of conspiracy charges
Some of the most common conspiracy charges including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to distribute drugs, and conspiracy to product or distribute child pornography. The process of proving this type of charge is difficult and an attorney can help find the best way to get you the best possible outcome.
We may argue that there is not enough evidence of an agreement
The prosecutor must prove that you and at least one additional person had an agreement to commit a crime. If you we can show that there is a reason to doubt this, then we can argue that point. This is one of the most challenging aspects for the prosecutors to prove. Absent a written agreement to commit a crime (which is extremely rare) or a wiretap, evidence to prove this is often scarce.
We may argue that you did not do anything to act on the conspiracy
It is not enough for you to simply have discussed the conspiracy with someone. One of you must have taken steps to make it happen. Let us consider a case of conspiracy to commit burglary. The prosecutor would have to show that either you or one of your accomplices took some type of action, whether it involved researching how to break into an alarm system, staking out a home, etc. We may be able to show that an act they say was done to further the crime was an entirely innocent act.
We may argue that you withdrew from the conspiracy
If you backed out of the crime then you may be able to argue this as a successful defense. However, we must have evidence that you withdrew before the crime was committed. We must also prove that you clearly communicated your want to withdrawal with all the co-conspirators. Simply not taking part in the act is not a defense.
We may argue that it was a mistake of law
If you were making plans that you did not know were illegal then you may be able to avoid a conviction. This only works with obscure crimes that most people do not know are crimes. However, it is possible that it applies to your case.
To find out more about how we would defend your individual case, please call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
