People can be accused of planning with others to commit a crime, even if that criminal action is not ultimately carried out. The charge for planning with others to commit a crime is called conspiracy, and it can carry heavy penalties upon conviction, including potential incarceration and fines.
If you have been accused of conspiracy, it is important to speak with a DeKalb County conspiracy lawyer who could help you understand the legal process and develop a criminal defense strategy tailored to your unique situation.
What Is Conspiracy?
According to Georgia law, conspiracy occurs when two or more people conspire to commit any type of crime and at least one person takes overt action to enact this plan. An essential part of the prosecution’s attempt to prove conspiracy is to show that there was an agreement between the people planning the crime and the intent to carry it out. Conspiracy is typically charged as a separate crime from the one that was planned.
The Consequences of a Conspiracy Conviction
The potential consequences of a conspiracy conviction in DeKalb County vary greatly depending on the type of crime that was the subject of the conspiracy. Misdemeanor conspiracy convictions can result in up to a year in prison, $1,000 in fines, probation, restitution to victims, and other court requirements. If a person is convicted of felony conspiracy, prison times and fines can be up to half of the penalty for the crime that was planned. Conspiracy to commit murder can result in a prison term of up to 10 years.
How a Lawyer Could Help If You Have Been Charged with Conspiracy
When someone has been charged with conspiracy, they have the right to defend themselves against the charges and to have an attorney assist them with this defense. A DeKalb County conspiracy attorney has an important role to play in explaining the charges and the criminal justice process to the defendant. Lawyers working on conspiracy cases look at the facts of the case and prepare a strategy based on factors such as what evidence prosecutors have against the defendant, the particulars of the investigation and arrest, and the defendant’s goals for resolving the case.
In many cases, the strategy will be to dispute the charges. There are many defenses to conspiracy charges, including the assertion that the defendant did not intend to participate in a conspiracy, that they withdrew from the plan before acts were ever committed to further the plan, or even calling into question the testimony of witnesses or the procedures used during the investigation. In other cases, however, the strategy involves negotiating a plea deal with the prosecution to reduce some of the consequences of a conviction.
Enlist the Help of a DeKalb County Conspiracy Attorney Today
The legal team at Robert James Trial Attorneys is committed to providing our clients with respect and professionalism as we work with them to create a defense to the charges they face. If you have been accused of conspiring with others to commit a crime, our team wants to help you understand your rights and the potential scenarios that might occur while your case moves forward. Schedule a consultation with a Dekalb County conspiracy lawyer from our firm today to talk about your goals and the services we could provide to assist you during this challenging time. Contact us today.