A drug conspiracy charge involves two things. First, it involves two or more individuals who agree to distribute drugs, or they possess drugs with the intent to distribute. Second, it involves committing an act in furtherance of that agreement.
A Fredericksburg drug conspiracy lawyer can help you with charges concerning drug distribution or possession with the intent to distribute, and actions that further those events. Contact an experienced drug defense attorney to begin fighting your charges today.
If convicted of a drug conspiracy charge, a person can be charged with both the conspiracy and the underlying offense. Conspiracy charges can be serious depending on what the underlying offense is, but any conspiracy charge is a conspiracy to commit a felony. The conspiracy itself, in addition to the criminal action, is also a felony.
If a person is dealing with a drug charge in Fredericksburg, the conspiracy could add another class five felony, which is up to 10 years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines for the conspiracy.
This charge is on top of the charge for the criminal act itself, so a person with a drug conspiracy charge will likely see multiple charges – one for the conspiracy and one for the underlying action, which includes possession with the intent to distribute drugs, the distribution of drugs, or manufacturing drugs.
Prosecution needs to prove two things when dealing with a conspiracy charge. First, they need to prove that there was an agreement between real people. A person cannot be convicted of a conspiracy charge if a co-conspirator is A) not a real person or B) not a real co-conspirator. Second, they need to prove an event that had occurred after the agreement was made that had furthered the conspiracy.
For example, in a drug conspiracy conviction, a Fredericksburg lawyer would have to prove that there were two people who have agreed to distribute drugs. Then, there must be evidence of an action furthering the conspiracy – evidence of a person buying the drugs, calling a dealer, et cetera. The Commonwealth must prove those two things in order to secure a conspiracy conviction.
A conspiracy investigation normally involves one of two things: an undercover officer or a confidential informant. However, somebody who is inside, either in a friendship or a group of people may have these agreements and then commit these acts in furtherance of the said agreement. Conspiracies often have an “inside man” who witnesses what is going on and is able to testify to it.
Aside from using an inside guy, law enforcement also can do research on the movement of people. They will often use hidden audio, hidden video, or other wiretapping technologies. Law enforcement can follow up and use different types of undercover agents. In addition to an undercover officer inside of the conspiracy within the criminal organization, they will also use undercover officers to either deliver drugs or to act as other individuals in the community to further gather information on the conspiracy or to sometimes help in the furtherance of the conspiracy to make sure that it is a conspiracy. Fredericksburg drug conspiracy lawyers can then use this technology.
In addition to an undercover officer inside of the conspiracy within the criminal organization, they might also use undercover officers to either deliver drugs or to act as other individuals in the community to further gather information on the conspiracy or to sometimes help in the furtherance of the conspiracy to make sure that it is a conspiracy. Fredericksburg drug conspiracy lawyers can then use this technology.
When a person looks for a lawyer to defend their drug conspiracy charge, they will want a drug conspiracy lawyer who is experienced with drug charges. Because drug charges and drug conspiracy charges involve a lot of moving parts, a person is going to need a lawyer who not only understands the trade, sale, and manufacture of drugs, but also the way drug culture works.
Conspiracy is a difficult case to prove, so a person will want a Fredericksburgdrug conspiracy lawyer who knows how to handle a conspiracy case, who has handled drug conspiracies before, and who can prepare the proper defense for a person.
Before a person calls a conspiracy lawyer, they should prepare to be completely candid and honest. If a person is not willing to be honest and open with their lawyer about every aspect of a drug conspiracy charge, including everyone who was involved, then a lawyer cannot help them as best as they could have. Understand that there is an attorney-client privilege and that a Fredericksburg conspiracy lawyer has to know all the facts in order to protect the client’s interest.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
