Criminal Conspiracy
Under Florida criminal law, it is not necessary for a person to be involved in the actual commission of a crime to be charged with a criminal offense. In fact, many criminal acts are planned but do not occur because the attempt is thwarted by police or otherwise fails. Any person who conspires with one or more individuals to commit a crime may be charged with criminal conspiracy.
If you or someone you know is facing criminal conspiracy charges, the West Palm Beach criminal attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., are committed to defending your case. Call us today at 561-353-2800 to learn more.
Conspiracy and the Law
There are many ways in which the police may discover a criminal conspiracy. In some cases, wire tapping or other surveillance may be used to thwart a crime. In other situations, suspects are captured after the commission of a crime and reveal the identities of other conspirators involved. Even if you are not present when the crime occurs and never actively commit the planned crime yourself, you can still be arrested for your involvement in the planning stage.
Criminal Charges and Penalties
The charge for criminal conspiracy depends on the severity of the planned offense. In most cases, the issued conspiracy charge will be ranked one level below the ranking of the planned crime. For example, if a person conspired to commit a capital felony, he or she would be charged with a first-degree felony for criminal conspiracy. For conspiracy to commit a third-degree felony, the conspirator may be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
The penalties ordered for a conspiracy conviction vary widely depending on the level of the charge. The defendant’s jail or prison sentence may range from two months to 30 years, and fines of $500 to $10,000 could be levied. In any case, an individual facing criminal conspiracy charges can expect to face an aggressive prosecution in court. Our West Palm Beach criminal lawyers are experienced with defending against conspiracy charges and will fight to protect your legal rights throughout your case.
Contact Us
For sound legal advice and assistance with your criminal conspiracy charges and defense, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A., today at 561-353-2800.
