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Silver Spring Conspiracy Lawyer

Conspiracy can be a confusing crime to understand and allows prosecutors to charge someone with an offense that has yet to be committed. Understanding conspiracy charges can be hard because the crime is usually considered incomplete or inchoate (just begun).

Due to the complexity of the crime and the possible ramifications of the charge, you may want to consider consulting an experienced criminal attorney to help you navigate through the criminal charges and defend your rights in court in an effective manner. Reach out to a Silver Spring conspiracy lawyer today for legal representation.

What Constitutes Conspiracy

Someone could be charged with attempt to commit a crime under Maryland law even if they did not commit the crime. Criminal conspiracy in Maryland occurs when two or more people plan to accomplish a lawful or unlawful purpose through unlawful means, and the only thing necessary is that two or more people are coming together intending to commit a crime.

There is no separate set of conspiracy laws in the Maryland criminal code, and conspiracy charges come from the law related to the specific crime that has been alleged. Conspiracy also doesn’t just apply to violent crimes and can also apply to unlawful contracts.

Conspiracy charges can be used against someone suspected to be involved in crimes such as:

  • Murder
  • Distribution of drugs
  • Embezzlement
  • Fraud

Conspiracy could be a possible charge for any crime that involved two or more people. Prosecutors sometimes use conspiracy charges as leverage because conspiracy statutes are often worded broadly, and many of those accused of conspiracy are often surprised that they have been charged with conspiracy. Due to the broad wording of conspiracy statutes, a conspiracy attorney in Silver Spring may be able to help someone navigate through the law and find a possible resolution to their case.

Possible Penalties for a Conspiracy Conviction

Criminal conspiracy charges in Maryland carry the same penalties as the actual, alleged crime. § 1-202 of the Maryland Criminal Code states that the punishment of a person who has been convicted of conspiracy may not surpass the maximum sentence for the crime that the person conspired to commit.

The punishments for conspiracy depend on the particular crime that has been committed. For example, conspiracy to commit murder may have a harsher sentence than conspiracy to defraud.  There are also some mandatory minimum sentences in Maryland for certain drug-related offenses that specifically mention conspiracy, such as:

  • If someone has been previously convicted of conspiracy involving a Schedule I or II narcotic drug – minimum 20-year sentence, a fine not exceeding $15,000, or both (§ 5-608(b)(2))
  • If someone has served at least 180 days in confinement for conspiracy involving a Schedule I or II narcotic drug – minimum 25-year sentence, a fine not exceeding $25,000, or both (§ 5-608(c)(1)(i)(2))
  • If someone has served three or more separate imprisonment terms as a result of three or more separate convictions for conspiracy involving a Schedule I or II narcotic drug – minimum 40-year sentence, a fine not exceeding $25,000, or both (§ 5-608(d)(2))
  • If someone is an organizer, supervisor, financier, or manager who acts as a coconspirator to manufacture, distribute, dispense, transport in, or bring a controlled dangerous substance into the state are considered “drug kingpins” and are guilty of a felony and possibly face 20 to 40 years of jail time without the possibility of parole, a fine not exceeding $1,000,000, or both

A lawyer in Silver Spring who is experienced in conspiracy law can help someone navigate through the intricacies of conspiracy law and may be able to help someone avoid the maximum jail time, maximum fine, or both.

Consult with a Silver Spring Conspiracy Attorney Today

If you were charged with a crime of conspiracy, you may want to pursue professional legal assistance. A Silver Spring conspiracy lawyer with experience in conspiracy law could look at your case and give you possible options on how to proceed.

Depending on the circumstances, a local attorney could help alleviate the severity of the situation, so call today for a consultation to see what may be possible in your case.

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