Pennsylvania Conspiracy Lawyer

Conspiracy, unfortunately, is an all-too-common criminal charge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is also one of the most misunderstood.

The Commonwealth can charge you with conspiracy if you agree with another individual to commit a crime. One person must have also taken some overt action or step that furthers the conspiracy. If the Commonwealth finds you guilty and/or convicts you of conspiracy, you are subject to the same penalties as those associated with the underlying offense.

Depending upon the penalties for the underlying offense, the penalties for a conspiracy conviction can be equally serious. If the Commonwealth has charged you with conspiring to commit a crime, you need experienced legal representation in your corner. A Pennsylvania conspiracy lawyer can advocate for your rights and interests in court.

Overt Acts

In addition to the agreement between one or more individuals, a conspiracy requires some overt act or step in furtherance of the criminal enterprise. An overt act is something beyond merely preparing for or planning the crime. The conspirator must take some physical action.

If several individuals are planning to rob a bank, for example, merely planning out how the robbery will occur does not constitute an overt act. However, if one of the members to the conspiracy stakes out the bank or arranges for the getaway car, either of those actions likely constitutes an overt act.

In criminal cases involving a conspiracy, the Commonwealth prosecutor has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Since there are oftentimes gray areas, it can be difficult for prosecutors to meet their legal burden. A conspiracy lawyer in Pennsylvania can advocate for the accused’s rights by introducing a defense in court.

Conspiracy Defenses

In a Pennsylvania criminal conspiracy case, the accused may have several legal defenses available to them. Potential defenses in conspiracy cases include:

• Abandoning the conspiracy – In some instances, a lengthy period of time passes between the time the conspirators begin planning the enterprise and someone actually taking action in furtherance of the crime. If a sufficient period of time passes, the conspirators may have effectively abandoned the conspiracy.
• Lack of specific intent – Conspiracy is a specific intent crime. If the individuals involved in the conspiracy did not specifically intend to the commit the underlying criminal offense, then there may not have been an actual criminal plan or enterprise in place. Consequently, the Commonwealth might be inclined to dismiss the conspiracy count.
• Renouncing the criminal enterprise – Even after one of the conspirators takes some overt action that furthers the criminal enterprise, they may subsequently take steps to thwart their plan. Alternatively, the individual may communicate that they want nothing more to do with the criminal enterprise.

A conspiracy attorney in Pennsylvania can help you select the legal defense or defenses which have the best chance of success in your case.

Contact a Pennsylvania Conspiracy Attorney

Depending upon the nature and severity of the underlying crime, a conspiracy conviction can result in serious penalties and consequences. When stacked onto the underlying crime, a conspiracy charge or conviction only makes an already bad situation worse.

If the Commonwealth has charged you with criminal conspiracy, you have legal options open to you. A Pennsylvania conspiracy lawyer can explain to you what those options are and can help you select the best legal option for your criminal case.