Conspiracy drug charges refer to a type of criminal offense where an individual or a group of individuals is accused of conspiring or planning to commit a drug-related crime. While knowledge of a drug crime does not automatically make you a conspirator, you can be charged with conspiracy to commit a drug offense even if you never actually followed through with the act.
The main aspect of a conspiracy charge is the agreement between two or more individuals to engage in illegal activity. A conspiracy drug charge can include a wide range of offenses, such as drug trafficking, drug possession, and drug manufacturing. For a conviction, the prosecution must prove that you had an agreement with other individuals to commit a drug-related crime and took overt actions to that effect.
What are the potential penalties?
The penalties for conspiracy drug charges can be severe, depending on the nature and severity of the drug crime under consideration. For instance, a conspiracy charge in the first degree is a class A-1 felony and you may be looking at several years behind bars if you are found guilty.
You may also face separate charges for the underlying offense, further prolonging the time you will have to spend in prison. Other potential penalties of a conviction include hefty fines and the forfeiture of assets obtained through the commission of the crime.
Your defense is key
The prosecution of conspiracy drug charges is often based on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of co-conspirators. It can make it difficult to defend yourself, as the evidence against you may be difficult to challenge. In these cases, it is important to have an experienced legal team to help build a strong defense and protect your rights.