What is Conspiracy?
A conspiracy is an agreement between at least two people to commit a crime. Any conspiracy against the United States or any attempt to defraud the United States or any of its agencies can result in federal conspiracy charges. Federal conspiracy charges can also result from illegal activity that crosses state lines physically or through various lines of communication. An agreement for a conspiracy does not have to be in writing, it simply has to be an agreement and understanding between two or more people to commit a specific crime. Once either co-conspirator takes a step to further the goals of the conspiracy, then all co-conspirators can be properly charged with the conspiracy. This even goes for people in the conspiracy who had no idea that the other co-conspirator took some action to further the conspiracy. If a co-conspirator withdraws from the conspiracy scheme before any overt act takes place, then that person can properly claim withdrawal as a defense. Federal conspiracy charges have a five-year statute of limitations. That means the government has five years from the alleged date of the offense to bring charges or they are forever barred from doing so..
Why Does the Federal Government Charge People with Conspiracy So Often?
Federal conspiracy charges are popular with federal prosecutors because a conspiracy doesn’t really require much. You don’t even have to commit an actual crime to be guilty of conspiracy. In many cases, people are convicted of conspiracy to commit a specific crime, while they never actually completed the crime. All a prosecutor has to prove in a conspiracy case is that there was some sort of agreement between two or more people to commit a criminal act, and that someone involved in the conspiracy took some sort of step to further the conspiracy. If two people plotted to kill a federal official, for example, and then one of the conspirators went and purchased a gun, then that conspirator took a step to further the conspiracy. Even though nobody has been harmed, nor have the conspirators even attempted to execute their plan, the conspirators can properly be convicted of conspiracy. Federal prosecutors also like to charge conspiracy charges as a tool to encourage suspected conspirators against each other and cooperate with the government. The federal government views multiple people united to commit a crime as a bigger threat to society than criminals acting alone. If you have specific questions relating to potential or existing federal conspiracy charges, then call us at Snow Legal so we can help.
Call Today for a Consultation with Snow Legal
If you are facing federal conspiracy charges, it is important to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. The attorneys at Snow Legal are proud to offer a initial consultation to anyone facing the potential of criminal charges. Let our experience help guide you towards taking the strongest possible approach in your defense. Call us today at (704) 358-0026 or contact us online.