DeKalb County Conspiracy Lawyer

It is possible to be charged with a criminal offense without ever taking part in an illegal activity. Discussing plans to commit a crime could result in severe legal repercussions, even if the crime is never completed. Your presence at this conversation could form the basis for a conspiracy charge.

These charges are serious, and a conviction could have a detrimental impact on your future. A DeKalb County conspiracy lawyer could take on your case and protect your rights while working with you to build a strong defense.

What is Criminal Conspiracy?

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-4-8 defines conspiracy as the agreement between two or more individuals to commit a crime, followed by some overt action to accomplish the illegal activity.

For example, if a group of people decided to rob a convenience store then got into a car and drove toward the location, the mere action of traveling to the store may be sufficient to warrant conspiracy allegations. Unlike other crimes, conspiracy charges may proceed even if the underlying crime never comes to fruition.

Additionally, the actions of others may subject an individual to criminal charges. Accomplices to illegal activity might face conspiracy charges even if they had no active role in committing the crime. Expressing intent to commit the illegal act in the initial conversation could implicate all of the co-conspirators, even if only a few of them engaged in an overt action to commit the offense.

Crimes Associated with Conspiracy Allegations

Conspiracy charges could be connected with numerous illegal behaviors, such as:

Though a person could be charged with conspiracy for planning to commit any of these crimes, the severity of the conspiracy charges will depend on the nature of the illegal act. A DeKalb County attorney could tailor a defense strategy to the unique nature of a person’s conspiracy case.

Penalties for Committing Conspiracy

Plots involving the intent to commit felony offenses lead to felony conspiracy complaints, and misdemeanor conspiracy charges grow from misdemeanor wrongdoing. O.C.G.A. § 16-4-8 outlines the following sentencing guidelines for felony conspiracy:

  • Incarceration: one year to one-half the maximum prison time for the planned crime
  • Fines: up to one half the amount available for the colluded behavior

If death or life imprisonment is the associated sentence for the crime that a defendant conspired to commit, the court may order a prison term of one to ten years. Misdemeanor conspiracy charges receive the same penalties as other misdemeanors, as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-3.

A DeKalb County attorney could help the accused present evidence to defeat their conspiracy allegations and avoid these penalties.

Negotiating with Prosecutors

Prosecutors frequently include conspiracy counts in indictments because these allegations can offer another avenue to garner evidence against individual defendants and more negotiating power. Authorities often encourage suspects to testify against each other by cutting plea deals that reduce charges and penalties for the cooperating defendant

These discussions can be difficult, as knowing when to assist the prosecution may not always be apparent. A conspiracy lawyer who works with the DeKalb County prosecutor’s office regularly could understand how to reach a beneficial agreement.

Let a DeKalb County Conspiracy Attorney Plan Your Defense

Conspiracy is a serious crime that could result in extensive jail time and hefty fines. The legal representation you choose could make a difference in the outcome of your case. A DeKalb County conspiracy lawyer with extensive experience crafting defense strategies could help you achieve the best resolution. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your next steps.