From a legal standpoint, a conspiracy is the willful agreement of two or more individuals to a plan that serves a criminal purpose. Since it’s an agreement to commit a crime, conspiracy charges are attached to other criminal charges such as drug trafficking or murder. What makes a conspiracy allegation complicated is that the crime itself does not have to have taken place. Individuals can be convicted for simply having the plan. In some cases, conspiracy charges can bring forth stringent penalties, including time in federal prison. If you are accused of a conspiracy to commit a federal crime, it’s critical that you contact a federal criminal conspiracy defense lawyer in Tampa immediately.
Generally speaking, prosecutors pursue conspiracy charges because it provides them with some leeway in terms of the evidence they are required to provide. It also helps them pit conspirators against each other in that one defendant may testify against another in exchange for a lesser sentence. In conspiracy cases, prosecutors are attempting to prove that a plan to commit a crime exists, not necessarily that a crime itself took place, which is easier to prove in many cases.
It’s important to have a federal criminal conspiracy defense lawyer in Tampa on your side when faced with federal conspiracy charges. Anthony Rickman, founder of The Rickman Law Firm, is a former state prosecutor. His experience, along with his skill and dogged determination, allows him to build a strategy that can strongly counter the federal prosecutor’s case.
In conspiracy cases, defense attorneys can assert a voluntary abandonment defense. This type of defense can be mounted if the defendant renounced the conspiracy and notified the other alleged conspirators of this fact. It’s also required that the other conspirators had time to renounce the plan as well.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.