Mississippi Criminal Law BlogConspiracy is an interesting legal concept, and it can be difficult to understand if you have no legal background. If you are facing conspiracy charges, you may find it difficult to figure out what exactly you did wrong. The fact is, you can face conspiracy charges even if no crime actually occurred. This might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s a legitimate part of our legal system. It is important to understand that conspiracy charges in Mississippi can be incredibly serious.
If you want to establish a better understanding of how conspiracy works in Mississippi, it makes sense to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney. Our legal professionals can defend you in court and guide you toward a positive legal outcome. There are a number of effective strategies that our experienced defense attorneys can use to fight conspiracy charges.
When Conspiracy is a Crime
Conspiracy is not a crime in and of itself. You cannot be charged with simply “conspiracy.” Instead, you would be charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of some kind. Conspiracy is the act of planning out a crime. It does not matter whether the crime actually took place, as it is illegal to simply get together with at least one other person and plan out the details of the unlawful act.
It is worth noting that you can face conspiracy charges for conspiring to commit virtually any crime, including relatively minor offenses like vandalism or shoplifting. However, the penalties for these conspiracies cannot be lower than the maximum penalty for the actual crimes. If you are charged with conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, you will likely face a relatively light sentence.
Things become much more serious if you conspire to commit a felony. Examples include conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit fraud. The federal conspiracy statute states that you can face up to five years in prison for conspiracy, but Mississippi lays out much more serious penalties for certain conspiracies. For example, conspiracy to commit murder can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
When Can You be Charged With Conspiracy?
You can be charged with conspiracy if you play any role in the planning or execution of the crime. Even if your involvement in the crime is extremely minimal, you may still face charges. That being said, courts may dismiss charges if you did not commit an “overt act.” This means that you need to take concrete steps in order to prepare for the crime. In other words, you cannot be charged with conspiracy for merely talking with friends about a crime.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. Over the years, we have dealt with many criminal cases, including those that involve conspiracy. Although it can seem confusing and distressing to face charges for a crime that never actually occurred, you need to take these charges very seriously. With our help, you can fight for your rights and freedoms. Book your consultation today.