Conspiracy is a crime which is often talked about on the news, yet many people do not completely understand it. Everyone knows that certain acts are crimes, but some people do not realize that the very act of planning a crime may in and of itself amount to conspiracy, which is also a crime. Kansas law defines conspiracy in Statute 21-3302, as an agreement with another person to commit a crime or to assist in committing a crime. In order for a person who has been charged with conspiracy to be convicted, Statute 21-3302 requires that an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy is alleged and proved to have been committed by the person against whom the charges have been brought, or by a co-conspirator.
When a person is charged with conspiracy, it is only natural for them to wonder what the potential consequences may be if they are convicted. At the most basic level, the consequences that defendants are likely to receive for crimes that are committed in Kansas are set forth in a felony grid. The felony grid provides suggestions for sentencing and fines that are contingent upon factors like the type of crime, whether the defendant had prior convictions, aggravating factors, and mitigating factors. Unfortunately, as anyone who has been convicted of a crime can tell you, fines and prison sentences are not the only consequences of being convicted. Important things like your ability to obtain housing and employment are also likely to be affected, making the total impact of your conviction on your life rather extensive.
When someone is charged with conspiracy, there is a lot at stake. For this reason, it is essential that you enlist the aid of a seasoned criminal defense attorney. A defense attorney can offer you the best possible chance at avoiding a conspiracy conviction or reducing the consequences that are associated with a conviction that cannot be avoided. Your defense attorney knows how to examine the circumstances under which your conspiracy charges were brought and select the defense strategies which are the most likely to help you prevail. One potential defense to a conspiracy charge is that the defendant withdrew from the conspiracy. In order for this defense to be successful, the defendant must have withdrawn from the conspiracy voluntarily and in good faith, and with the knowledge of one or more of their co-conspirators before the “overt act” occurred. Evidentiary challenges may be available, depending upon the circumstances of your case. Your attorney also understands the processes which are associated with criminal cases, and they can help you to assess any options that are presented to you so that you can proceed with your case in the manner which will best accomplish your goals.
An experienced criminal defense attorney could help you to get the conspiracy charges that have been brought against you dismissed. If a dismissal is not possible, your attorney could help you to reduce or eliminate some of the short term and long term consequences of being charged with conspiracy. If you would like to know more about how a Kansas Criminal Defense Attorney can help you with the conspiracy charges that have been brought against you, please give us a call at our Wichita office today at (316) 264-1548.