Conspiracy

Federal Conspiracy charges

18 U.S. Code § 371 – Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States

A federal conspiracy charge refers to a criminal offense under United States federal law where two or more individuals plan and agree to commit a crime. Conspiracy charges can apply to a wide range of criminal activities, including fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, and more.

Here are some key points to understand about federal conspiracy charges:

Definition: Conspiracy is generally defined as an agreement between two or more individuals to commit a criminal act. The agreement can be explicit or implied, and it can involve both individuals actively participating in the criminal act or one person conspiring with another who actually carries out the crime.

Elements: To prove a federal conspiracy charge, the prosecution must establish the following elements:

a. An agreement: There must be an agreement between two or more individuals to commit an unlawful act.

b. Intent: The individuals must have the intent to commit the underlying crime. It is not necessary for the crime to be completed; the agreement itself is sufficient for conspiracy charges.

c. Overt act (in some cases): In certain circumstances, the government may require proof of an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. However, some conspiracy statutes, such as drug trafficking conspiracy, do not require an overt act.

Penalties: The penalties for federal conspiracy charges can vary depending on the underlying offense. In many cases, conspiracy carries the same penalties as the underlying crime. However, there may be enhancements or additional penalties for conspiring to commit certain serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or organized crime.

Punishment: If convicted of a federal conspiracy charge, individuals may face imprisonment, fines, probation, restitution, or a combination of these penalties. The severity of the punishment depends on factors such as the nature and scope of the conspiracy, the individual’s role, their criminal history, and other relevant factors.

Defenses: Common defenses against federal conspiracy charges may include lack of intent, lack of agreement, withdrawal from the conspiracy, entrapment, or proving that there was no overt act or steps taken towards carrying out the alleged criminal act.

Some examples of additional federal conspiracy charges include conspiring against:

  • Impeding the free exercise of rights (18 USC 241);
  • Defrauding the Government concerning claims (18 USC 286);
  • Impeding or injuring an officer (18 USC 372);
  • Aiding prisoners of war or enemy aliens (18 USC 757);
  • Gathering or delivering defense information to assist a foreign government (18 USC 794);
  • Drug trafficking and other drug offenses (21 USC 846):
  • Injuring a person or property in a foreign country while under U.S. jurisdiction (18 USC 956);
  • Kidnapping (18 USC 1201);
  • Destroying a boat to defraud an insurance company (18 USC 2271);
  • Sedition (18 USC 2384);
  • Interfering with armed forces during a time of war (18 USC 2388);
  • Destruction of war material (18 USC 2153); and
  • Interfering with the production of war material (18 USC 2154).

If you are facing federal conspiracy charges or believe you may be involved in a situation related to conspiracy, it is crucial to consult with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney. They can provide you with personalized legal advice based on the specifics of your case and help navigate the complexities of federal law.