Criminal Defense Lawyers

Understanding Federal Criminal Conspiracy Laws and Charges

What is a Federal Criminal Conspiracy Charge?

At Spodek Law Group, we know that facing federal criminal conspiracy charges can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. You may be wondering, “What exactly IS a conspiracy charge?” Don‘t worry, we’re here to break it down for you.In the simplest terms, a criminal conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal act, along with taking some step towards actually carrying out that act. Sounds pretty broad, right? Well, that’s because it IS. Conspiracy is one of the most commonly prosecuted federal offenses.

The Elements of a Conspiracy Charge

To convict you of conspiracy, federal prosecutors need to prove two key things:

1. You entered into an agreement with at least one other person to violate federal law
2. You or a co-conspirator took some overt act in furtherance of that agreement

Here’s the tricky part – you don’t actually have to complete the crime to be guilty of conspiracy. Just taking a substantial step towards committing the offense is enough. And that “overt act” doesn’t have to be illegal in itself.

For example, let’s say you and a buddy jokingly agree to rob a bank. If one of you goes out and buys ski masks, congratulations – you could be charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, even if you never set foot in the bank.

The Severity of Federal Conspiracy Charges

Make no mistake, federal conspiracy charges are extremely serious. Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, conspiracy to commit a federal offense carries a potential 5-year prison sentence. And that’s in ADDITION to any penalties for the underlying crime itself.Conspiracy charges are a powerful tool for federal prosecutors. They allow the government to cast a wide net and aggressively go after anyone remotely involved in criminal activity.So if you find yourself facing conspiracy charges, you need to take action IMMEDIATELY to protect your rights and your future. Luckily, you‘ve come to the right place. At Spodek Law Group, our battle-tested federal criminal defense attorneys have the knowledge and experience to mount an aggressive defense on your behalf.

Defending Against Federal Conspiracy Charges

We understand how daunting it can be to have the full weight of the federal government bearing down on you. But don’t lose hope. With the right legal strategy, it IS possible to fight back against conspiracy charges and secure a positive outcome in your case.

Challenging the Agreement

One key defense strategy is to attack the alleged “agreement” at the heart of the conspiracy charge. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly and voluntarily entered into an agreement to violate the law.There are several ways we can challenge the existence of an illegal agreement:

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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• Arguing that you never actually agreed to commit a crime
• Showing that you withdrew from the conspiracy before any overt act occurred
• Demonstrating that you were merely present but did not actively participate in the agreement

Questioning the Evidence

Another important aspect of crafting your defense is closely examining the prosecution‘s evidence. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to:

• Challenge the credibility or reliability of witness testimony
• Move to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches or wiretaps
• Highlight weaknesses or inconsistencies in the government’s case

Rest assured, our experienced attorneys will leave no stones unturned in scrutinizing the evidence against you. We‘ll identify any vulnerabilities that can be exploited to your advantage.

Exploring Plea Options

In some cases, negotiating a plea deal may be in your best interests. Our skilled lawyers can engage in plea negotiations with prosecutors to try to:

• Get the conspiracy charges reduced or dismissed
• Minimize the potential penalties you’re facing
• Avoid the risk and uncertainty of trial

However, we will only recommend pleading guilty if it’s truly the best option based on the unique facts of your case. You can trust our team to give you honest, straightforward advice focused on achieving the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Spodek Law Group?

When your freedom and future are on the line, you can’t afford to take chances with your legal representation. You need a powerhouse defense team that knows the ropes and gets RESULTS. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Spodek Law Group.

Nationally Recognized Federal Defense Attorneys

Our firm is home to some of the most respected federal criminal defense lawyers in the country. We’ve been featured in major media outlets and have received numerous accolades for our work.But don‘t just take our word for it. Check out our client testimonials to see what past clients have to say about their experience with our firm.

Proven Track Record of Success

We’ve handled some of the most complex, high-stakes federal cases out there, and we have the results to show for it. Our attorneys have secured countless dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea deals for clients across the country.

24/7 Availability

We know that when you‘re facing federal charges, you can’t afford to wait. That’s why our team is available 24/7 to take your call and provide the guidance you need. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.