Hennepin County Conspiracy Lawyer

Conspiracy is defined as an agreement made between two parties to commit an unlawful or illegal act. Although the intention to commit a crime is technically considered to be an act of conspiracy, at least one of the parties typically must commit an act in furtherance of the agreement for the act to be considered a chargeable offense.

If you have been accused of conspiracy, you should seek representation from a seasoned criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A Hennepin County conspiracy lawyer could help you better understand your rights and fight to minimize or dismiss your charges.

Elements of Conspiracy Charges

In general, for an act or offense to be considered a crime, there must be an intentional act (actus reus), performed with criminal intent or a guilty mind (mens rea), and concurrence between the act and criminal mental state which proves to be the cause of harm to another. An act of conspiracy is an inchoate offense, meaning a person may be charged as if they committed the crime they conspired about, even if the act was never completed.

In Minnesota, to charge someone with conspiracy, the prosecutor must be able to prove that an agreement was made between two or more people to commit a crime or unlawful act in the future. At least one overt act in furtherance of the agreement must have been committed by one of the parties to the agreement, as provided under § 609.175 of the Minnesota Code. A skilled Hennepin County conspiracy lawyer in the area could review the facts of a case to determine whether a defendant could be found guilty of conspiracy and work to protect a defendant’s rights while bringing their plea.

Penalties for Criminal Conspiracy

Under Minn. Code § 609.175, subd. 2(1), if two or more parties make an agreement to commit a misdemeanor criminal offense, and one of the parties makes an overt act in furtherance of the agreement, they may face with a jail sentence of up to 90 days, a $300 fine, or both. If the criminal offense that two or more people conspire to commit is treason or first-degree murder, they could be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 20 years.

Due to the severity of the penalties that an individual could face if convicted of committing an act of conspiracy, anyone who is accused of this crime should not treat it lightly, and they should immediately seek the services of a Hennepin County attorney who has experience with bribery cases to handle their case.

Seek Assistance from a Hennepin County Conspiracy Attorney Today

Although conspiracy can be a somewhat complicated crime to prove in some cases, it carries severe penalties upon conviction. Conspiracy can include a broad range of criminal activity, so is crucial for those charged with this crime to enlist a Hennepin County conspiracy lawyer who could safeguard their rights throughout the course of their case. Call today to schedule an initial consultation with a qualified legal professional and start building a compelling defense.