Conspiracy Offences

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Criminal Conspiracy Offences

If you are under investigation, have been arrested, invited for a voluntary interview, charged or face proceedings for any criminal offence, our specialist team at JMW can provide expert advice, assistance and representation.

It is essential that you seek legal advice and representation immediately. As conspiracy offences relate to an agreement to commit a crime and not actually commit it, it is vital that you get legal assistance to guide you through a process that can be difficult and stressful.

A criminal conspiracy offence is very serious, with the potential for life sentences upon conviction, so it is essential to have the right legal support at the earliest possible opportunity. At JMW, we offer a bespoke criminal law service that is designed to provide thorough preparation and great attention to detail throughout proceedings.

We have been and are involved in some of the biggest criminal investigations and prosecutions, and are ranked as top tier firm by the Legal 500, as well as Chambers and Partners.

To speak to our expert defence solicitors about allegations made against you in relation to conspiring to commit a crime, call us today on 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

How JMW Can Help

Our criminal conspiracy solicitors are dedicated to providing excellent client care by taking an in-depth and robust approach to defending cases and proactive representation throughout your legal proceedings. We have been recognised by the Legal 500 for providing a ‘Rolls Royce service’ that includes ‘superb client care and thorough preparation’.

We promise to do all we can to defend you and protect your interests, and have a strong track record of helping many clients avoid charges, secure early acquittals and achieve not-guilty verdicts in court. In cases where a conviction cannot be avoided, we typically will be able to secure reduced penalties by ensuring all mitigating factors are considered.

For information on how to fund your criminal defence case, take a look at your options here.

What is Criminal Conspiracy?

A statutory criminal conspiracy requires proof that a defendant made an agreement with one or more individuals to carry out a criminal act. To prove the offence, the prosecution must show that the defendant intended to be part of the agreement to commit an unlawful act and knew of the elements of the intended offence. Therefore, the prosecution could allege that there has been an agreement to commit an unlawful act in a number of different ways, which could relate to various underlying offences.

Conspiracy offences can take many forms, including conspiring to:

  • Commit fraud
  • Import or supply drugs
  • Money launder
  • Commit cybercrime
  • Commit terrorism
  • Commit a violent act
  • Commit robbery
  • Engage in human trafficking
  • Exploit an individual
  • Kidnap
  • Blackmail
  • Sexually exploit an individual
  • Commit murder

As it is rare that an agreement to commit an offence is written down, the prosecution will normally have to show from circumstantial or other evidence that an agreement can be inferred from the evidence they rely upon. It can be difficult for the prosecution to prove its case, especially in complex conspiracies allegedly committed by many individuals over a long period of time, where the nature and substance of purported agreements may be unclear. To prove a conspiracy, the prosecution must be able to show:

  1. An agreement has been made between two or more parties
  2. The agreement is to commit a criminal offence
  3. There was an intention to be a party to an agreement to do an unlawful act
  4. That a defendant and one other party knew or intended that the elements of the intended offence would exist at the time of the offence

An agreement to commit a criminal offence must include details of how the act will be carried out. If a defendant is not aware of the plans, it will be difficult to find them guilty of criminal conspiracy.

FAQs about Criminal Conspiracy Offences

What are the penalties for criminal conspiracy?

Penalties for criminal conspiracy can include a long prison sentence, a significant fine and the seizure of assets. The punishment given will depend on the type of crime involved and a number of other factors, including:

  • The role an individual has played in the conspiracy
  • The scale of the offence
  • The length of time over which any offences took place
  • The awareness of being involved in a criminal conspiracy
  • Any pressure, intimidation or coercion
  • Whether or not a guilty plea is entered
  • Any previous convictions

How can a criminal conspiracy be proven?

A successful prosecution will depend on whether or not it can be proven that you carried out a specific role connected to the conspiracy and that you were aware that your actions in planning were to commit a crime.

The prosecution will gather evidence, for example, phone records, witness testimony, fingerprints and DNA, and so on, to show your intention in a conspiracy. Mobile phone data is often used in criminal conspiracy cases, so it is important that you know your legal rights in any case of this kind.

Talk to Us

If you have been accused of criminal conspiracy, seek expert legal advice and representation today by contacting JMW. Call us on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

Talk to Us

If you have been accused of criminal conspiracy, seek expert legal advice and representation today by contacting JMW. Call us on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.

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