In some situations, prosecutors will pursue a conviction for simply agreeing with someone else to commit a crime. Conspiracy is a serious offense, but it takes more than just proof that you agreed to break the law for the prosecution to secure a conviction.
If you are facing these charges, our Cranberry Township conspiracy lawyer may be able to help. All of our lawyers are former prosecutors and, therefore, are uniquely and well-equipped to defend criminal cases. Reach out to our skilled defense attorneys at Benjamin Levine Law today to learn more.
In Pennsylvania, conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a criminal act. Our knowledgeable conspiracy defense lawyer in Cranberry Township can help explain how broad and complex these charges can be. To secure a conviction, the Commonwealth must prove three specific elements:
This act doesn’t have to be illegal on its own, but it must move the plan forward. This can make some conspiracy cases confusing at first glance, as an arrest may involve a mundane activity such as buying supplies or moving a parked car.
What makes conspiracy charges especially serious in Pennsylvania is that a person can be held legally accountable for the actions of their co-conspirators, even if they didn’t directly participate in every aspect of the crime. For example, someone who plans a burglary but never enters the building may still face the same penalties as someone who does.
Penalties for conspiracy are linked to the penalties for the underlying offense. If the target crime is a first-degree felony, the conspiracy charge is also a first-degree felony. This means a conspiracy conviction can result in lengthy prison sentences, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record, even if the planned crime never happens.
One of the benefits of hiring our Cranberry Township conspiracy attorneys is that they can review the facts of your case and advise you on the defense strategies that might be available. They include the following:
What many people are not aware of is that you can withdraw from a criminal conspiracy before the crime is actually committed. This requires some active steps, however, including leaving the conspiracy prior to the commission of any crime and refusing to participate further.
The Commonwealth is required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and this is a high standard to meet. Your attorney could focus your defense on the lack of evidence against you, arguing that even taking the prosecution’s evidence at face value, it has not met the burden of proof.
A conspiracy involves a group of people working together to forward the same criminal enterprise. However, there must be proof of an agreement between the parties in order to secure a conviction. It can be difficult for the government to prove you ever agreed with someone else to commit a crime, much less made any substantial steps towards doing so.
If you have been accused of conspiring to commit a crime, it is important that you build the strongest defense strategy possible. The right approach could help you stay out of jail and keep a conviction off your record. Instead of attempting to defend yourself in court, reach out to our Cranberry Township conspiracy lawyer today.