NYC Federal Drug Conspiracy Lawyers.

Federal cases involving drug conspiracies are some of the most serious crimes in existence. This set of laws covers a very broad range of drug related activity. As such, it is fairly common for federal prosecutors to commandeer state cases, and try them in district court where the penalties are much harsher. Federal drug conspiracy charges need an thorough, aggressive defense.

An Overview of Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges

Federal drug charges can be initiated for a myriad of reasons. Some of the commonly targeted activities include possession, manufacturing, trafficking and distribution. Federal cases are usually reserved for defendants dealing with a large quantity of controlled substances. As stated above, federal law imposes strict punishments upon guilty parties. In trafficking or distribution cases, the sentence can vary depending on the type of substance, the amount, the location of crime and the defendant's criminal record. Many federal crimes carry minimum sentences of at least 10 years.

What is a Drug Conspiracy

A conspiracy is merely an agreement to engage in a criminal act. It is a separate crime from the underlying criminal act itself. Thus, if you follow through in a conspiracy, you can be charged with two different offenses.

To prove the existence of a drug crime conspiracy, the prosecution will have to prove three elements: that an agreement existed, that the defendant knew of it, and that he or she willingly joined the plan. The prosecution may also have to prove that the defendant carried out an overt act which demonstrates his or her intent to act on the conspiracy.
The prosecution does not have to rely on direct evidence, such as a written document, to prove the case. A conspiracy can be shown through circumstantial evidence alone.

Who Can be Charged in a Conspiracy Case?