Conspiracy

Often referred to as a "partnership in crime," conspiracy is committed when two or more people agree, or co-conspire, to commit a crime. Even when the crime which has been agreed to by the parties involved is not committed, you may still face charges. At The Justice Firm, our Los Angeles conspiracy attorneys are dedicated to providing clients accused of a serious criminal offense with unsurpassed legal guidance and representation.

Conspiracy is a serious crime which should not be taken lightly considering that even if the crime was not carried out, you may face the same penalties if convicted as you would have had the crime been completed. This is an offense which may also be charged as a federal offense, which means if convicted you will likely face penalties which are even more serious than those at the state level. We urge you to contact our firm immediately if you are under investigation or have been charged with conspiracy.

Illegal conspiracies in the state are defined under California Penal Code Section 182 and include:

• Conspiring to get another person arrested or charged with a crime in a false or malicious manner
• Conspiring to defraud or cheat another individual of his or her property
• Conspiring to commit an act in order to obstruct justice, or which would be injurious to the public
• Conspiring to commit any California misdemeanor or felony crime which is not a federal offense
• Conspiring to move any action, suit, or proceeding under false pretenses
• Conspiring to commit a crime against the Governor of a state, a U.S. Justice or Judge, the Vice President or President, or any public official

As mentioned above, conspiring to commit a crime occurs when two or more individuals agree to commit a crime. However, at least one of the individuals involved in the conspiracy must commit an overt act in "furtherance" of the crime, that is he or she must take an action that is performed for the purpose of helping the agreed upon crime be accomplished. This "overt act" must occur after a co-conspirator or defendant has already agreed to commit the offense. This overt act in furtherance of the crime can be something as simple as writing a letter or making a telephone call.

As all Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers are aware, it takes very little in terms of evidence for someone to be accused of conspiracy. However, the criminal penalties are serious; a conviction will not only leave you facing serious consequences, it will potentially ruin your reputation and career. Contact a skilled and aggressive defense lawyer immediately.

The criminal penalties you face in California if convicted on charges of conspiracy depend on several factors, including the underlying crime you intended to commit. Additionally, if charged as a federal offense, the penalties you face will be even harsher.

Generally speaking, conspiring to commit a felony offense in California will leave you facing up to 3 years in prison. However, if you are charged with the actual crime, you may face the punishment for that crime. For instance, if you are accused of conspiring to commit residential first degree burglary, you may face the same penalties someone would face if he or she actually committed the crime which would be two, four, or six years in California State Prison.

If convicted of conspiring against a government official, you may be sentenced to five, seven, or nine years in prison.

The criminal penalties vary significantly for many reasons, including the severity of the underlying crime involved in the conspiracy and whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Your attorney can provide you with further information about the penalties you may potentially face if convicted.

At The Justice Firm, we understand the complexity of cases involving conspiracy; we also know how stressful and frightening it is for someone who is accused of committing this serious crime. However, it is important to note that because you have been arrested or are under investigation, this does not mean you will automatically be convicted. You are innocent until proven guilty, and we will use all of our experience, skill, and knowledge to protect your innocence. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 310-914-2444.