Criminal Defense Lawyers

Collateral Consequences of a Conspiracy Conviction

Collateral Consequences of a Conspiracy Conviction

Getting charged with conspiracy can lead to a whole mess of legal problems that go way beyond just the criminal case itself. Even if you end up beating the rap, a conspiracy charge can haunt you for years to come. Let’s break down some of the biggest issues so you know what you might be in for.

First off, conspiracy sounds like some top-secret spy movie stuff, but really its a pretty broad crime that prosecutors love to use. Basically if they think you made some sort of agreement to do something illegal, whether or not you actually did it, that can be conspiracy¹. So right off the bat, you could be facing a felony conviction even if you didn’t actually commit the crime you allegedly conspired about. Not cool.

Making things worse, conspiracy charges often get tacked onto other charges as well. So you could be looking at conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to sell drugs, conspiracy to commit fraud…you name it. Point is, this gives the prosecution two chances to get a conviction rather than just one. Tricky bastards.

Now let’s say you do get convicted of conspiracy, either by itself or along with other charges. Well get ready for a lifetime of headaches trying to move on with your life. For starters, just having that felony on your record can make it real tough to get a job, rent an apartment, get a professional license, or do a ton of other normal life stuff². Forget about anything that requires a background check or bonding.

And it’s not just jobs and housing. Under federal law, a felony conviction also means losing your right to vote, serve on a jury, or own a gun. Bummer if you’re into politics or the Second Amendment. Some states will even suspend your driver’s license if you get convicted of certain felonies, including drug conspiracies³. So you might not be able to drive to that job you can’t get or to that apartment you can’t rent. Harsh.

Speaking of voting, a conspiracy conviction can also cancel out your eligibility for federal student loans and grants⁴. So if you were hoping to go back to school after doing your time, you’ll have to find some other way to pay for it. No more Pell Grants for you, convicted felon.

Your finances will take another hit thanks to all the fines and fees that come along with a conviction. We’re talking court costs, probation fees, restitution if there’s a victim, and whatever else the judge feels like tacking on. Don’t forget the cost of a lawyer unless you get a public defender. Better start saving up!

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

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Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

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2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

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2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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If you’re an immigrant, a conspiracy conviction can also get you deported, even if its a low-level misdemeanor⁵. So much for coming to America to make a better life. One dumb mistake and its hasta la vista, baby.

Making matters worse, you may have to register as a drug offender even if the conspiracy wasn’t specifically about drugs⁶. Some states require anyone with a felony drug conviction to register with police like sex offenders do. Because nothing helps reintegrate into society like being treated like a perv everywhere you go.

And don’t assume you’ll get any sympathy from a judge for future cases just because you already did time for conspiracy. Judges and prosecutors take a pretty dim view of repeat offenders. Expect to have the book thrown at you if you ever end up back in court down the line. Because apparently the whole point of prison is to punish, not rehabilitate.

About the only silver lining is that some states have laws letting you get a conspiracy conviction expunged or sealed after a certain number of years⁷. Other states aren’t so forgiving though, so that conspiracy could stay on your record for life. Yet another fun perk of living in America’s broken criminal justice system.

So yeah, a conspiracy charge is bad news all around. Your best bet is to fight it aggressively in court and try to get it tossed out or reduced. Pleading guilty to a felony conspiracy is pretty much asking for a lifetime of problems with jobs, housing, finances, and just being able to live a normal life. Think hard before copping a plea, no matter how good a deal the DA offers you. This stuff sticks with you.

In the end, millions of Americans are dealing with collateral consequences like these of all sorts of convictions⁸. Maybe someday we’ll elect people willing reform the system to be more just and humane. But I wouldn’t recommend holding your breath, at least not in our lifetimes. For now, just try to avoid that conspiracy charge in the first place. Your future self will thank you.

^{1. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/conspiracy}

^{2. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/collateral-consequences-era-mass-convictions}

^{3. https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/felony-friendly-states-for-drivers-license.htm}

^{4. https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/criminal-convictions}

^{5. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-immigration-consequences-criminal-conviction.html}

^{6. https://ccresourcecenter.org/state-restoration-profiles/chart-1-loss-and-restoration-of-civil-rights-and-firearms-privileges/}

^{7. https://ccresourcecenter.org/state-restoration-profiles/50-state-comparisoncomparison-of-criminal-records-in-employment-licensing/}

^{8. https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/americans-with-criminal-records/}