Conspiracy Lawyer in Philadelphia Advocating on Behalf of Clients

In today’s world, it seems like almost anything can be classified as a conspiracy. From the mundane to the unbelievable, if two or more people are involved in any sort of activity, someone is likely to suggest that they’re up to no good. And as anyone who’s been accused of conspiring knows, these allegations can be incredibly damaging-both professionally and personally. Conspiracy lawyers are criminal defense attorneys who can help fight criminal conspiracy charges and federal conspiracy charges.

It is so important to have an experienced Philadelphia conspiracy lawyer on your side if you find yourself facing these charges. At Liberty Law Team, we understand the complex legal landscape surrounding conspiracy cases and are prepared to fight for your rights in court. We know what it takes to build a strong defense against these allegations and will work with you hand in hand to do whatever is possible to build a defense against your criminal conspiracy charge. Call our law firm, Liberty Law Team to get a consultation today at (215) 732-3474.

What is Conspiracy?

In order to be charged with conspiracy, the prosecution must be able to prove that two or more people entered into an agreement to commit a crime—and took some sort of overt action in furtherance of that agreement. That means that simply talking about committing a crime is not enough to sustain a conspiracy charge. There must be some sort of concrete evidence that the parties involved were working together to achieve an illegal goal.

However, it’s important to note that the crime doesn’t actually have to be carried out in order for someone to be charged with conspiracy. So long as the prosecution can show that there was an agreement in place and some sort of steps taken towards carrying out the crime, they can bring charges—even if the underlying crime is never actually committed.

What Defense Can a Lawyer Use for My Case?

There are a number of different defenses that a lawyer can use for a conspiracy case. The most common is to attack the prosecution’s evidence and try to show that there was no concrete agreement in place to commit a crime. This can be difficult to do, but if the prosecution’s case is based purely on circumstantial evidence, it may be possible to create enough reasonable doubt to avoid a conviction.

Another common defense is to show that the defendant withdrew from the conspiracy before any illegal acts were committed. In order to do this, the defendant must prove that they communicated their withdrawal in some way—typically by telling the other conspirators or taking some sort of action that makes it clear they’re no longer on board with the plan.

What is the Fallout of a Conspiracy Conviction?

The penalties for conspiracy will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the crime that was allegedly agreed upon and the jurisdictions in which the alleged conspirators are tried. In Pennsylvania, for example, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor is itself a misdemeanor, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Conspiracy to commit a felony, on the other hand, is classified as a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. And if the underlying crime is itself a felony of the first or second degree, the conspiracy charge will be upgraded to a felony of the second or first degree, respectively.

Of course, these are just the criminal penalties—a conviction can also lead to a number of collateral consequences, such as the loss of your job, difficulty finding housing, and more. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Philadelphia conspiracy lawyer on your side if you’re facing these charges.

What is the Difference Between Conspiracy and Aiding and Abetting?

While conspiracy and aiding and abetting may seem similar, they’re actually two very different crimes. Conspiracy requires an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime while aiding and abetting requires that the defendant knowingly help someone else commit a crime—even if there’s no formal agreement in place.

A common example of aiding and abetting is when someone drives a getaway car for a bank robber. The driver didn’t agree to commit the robbery, but they knowingly helped someone else do so. Therefore, they can be charged with aiding and abetting, even though they didn’t actually participate in the robbery itself.

If you’ve been charged with conspiracy, it’s important to have an experienced lawyer on your side. The penalties for these charges can be severe, and the collateral consequences can be even worse.

At Liberty Law Team, we’ve been helping clients in Philadelphia fight conspiracy charges for years. We know what it takes to build a strong defense, and we’re not afraid to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the best possible outcome. Contact Liberty Law Team today at (215) 732-3474 to begin defending your rights.