Find Out What You Need to Know if You Have Been Charged with Conspiracy in Pennsylvania
Many people are surprised to learn that they can be charged with—and convicted of—a crime even if they do not commit a criminal act. This is because conspiring to commit a crime is itself a criminal offense.
Both state and federal prosecutors can file conspiracy charges in Pennsylvania, and state and federal cases can both expose defendants to substantial penalties.
If you have been charged with conspiracy, you need to be absolutely certain that you are making informed decisions about your defense.
Criminal defense attorney Frank Klopp has experience representing clients in conspiracy cases in Pennsylvania. If you are facing criminal charges as an alleged co-conspirator, he can use his experience to defend you by showing that there was no agreement between you and the alleged co-conspirators.
Due to the unique nature of conspiracy cases, a strategic defense is essential. We can carefully examine the facts of your case and determine what options you have available based on the circumstances surrounding your case.
When Can You Be Convicted of Conspiracy?
Like all crimes, the crime of conspiracy is composed of multiple “elements,” and prosecutors must prove each of these elements to secure a conviction. The elements of a conspiracy charge are:
- An agreement to participate in the conspiracy ;
- Intent to achieve the targeted outcome of the conspiracy; and,
- An “overt act” toward achieving the conspiracy’s targeted outcome.
Not only must prosecutors prove each of these elements to secure a conviction, but they must do so “beyond a reasonable doubt.” As a result, if Frank can expose any holes in the government’s case, this could be enough to protect you.
Note, however, that prosecutors do not need to be able to prove that the conspiracy achieved its targeted outcome to obtain a “guilty” verdict in court.
What are Some Defenses to Conspiracy Charges in Pennsylvania?
With this in mind, what are some examples of potential defenses to conspiracy charges in Pennsylvania? Depending on the facts of your case, Frank may be able to assert defenses including (but not limited to):
- Lack of Agreement – If you were not part of an agreement to enter into a conspiracy, you should not be prosecuted as a co-conspirator.
- Lack of Intent – Even if you talked about committing a crime with someone else, if you had no intent of actually committing that crime, you did not participate in a conspiracy.
- No Overt Act – Not all actions constitute “overt acts” under state or federal conspiracy law. If no one involved in the alleged conspiracy committed an overt act, then no conspiracy convictions are warranted.
- Renunciation – Even if you agreed to participate in a conspiracy initially if you later renounced your participation, this can serve as a complete defense as well.
- Coercion or Duress – If you were coerced or placed under duress to participate in a conspiracy, then you lacked the requisite “criminal intent” to warrant criminal culpability.
Contact Us to Schedule a 30-minute Consultation to Discuss Your Conspiracy Case
If you are facing a conspiracy case in Pennsylvania, it is critical that you hire an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible. Call us at (484) 339-3003 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.