Most criminal cases in Shelton require a prosecutor to prove that a defendant committed a criminal act beyond a reasonable doubt. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Under certain circumstances, a person may face penalties even if they never did anything specifically illegal.

Conspiracy cases are one example of this. Under state law, it is illegal to merely agree to commit an illegal act with another person. Still, the prosecutor must show that an agreement was in place and that you took an overt act to further the alleged crime. A Shelton conspiracy lawyer could help you to better understand this complex concept and promote a defense against these serious allegations. Reach out to Ruane Attorneys today to discuss your case and get the legal counsel you need.

Conspiracy is a Preparatory Offense

A set of criminal offenses under state law are known as preparatory offenses. In short, these laws discourage behavior that goes against public policy but does not directly affect the well-being of others or physical property.

Conspiracy is perhaps the most common of these preparatory offenses. According to Connecticut General Statute § 53a-48, a person commits conspiracy when they agree with one or more other people to act in concert to commit a criminal offense. Additionally, one or more of these people must commit an overt act in furtherance of the agreement. For example, if people agree to sell drugs, they may prepare a list of potential buyers or scout out locations to make a sale.

A conspiracy case usually carries the same penalties as the agreed-to offense. For instance, a conspiracy to rob a bank is just as serious as actually committing the robbery. A Shelton attorney could provide further information about the legal concept of conspiracy and the potential consequences of a conviction.

Defending Individuals Against Conspiracy Charges

Because conspiracy charges can be difficult for a prosecutor to prove, a conspiracy lawyer has many opportunities to create reasonable doubt concerning the case. The most direct defense option involves disputing whether there was a true agreement to commit a crime. Without text messages or emails that talk about an agreement to act together, it can be challenging for a prosecutor to connect the dots and prove an agreement. Furthermore, a Shelton conspiracy attorneycould challenge the legality of police work that led to the discovery of any evidence.

The law also allows those accused of conspiracy to raise a defense stating that they renounced the agreement. For instance, a defendant could argue that they alerted law enforcement to the coming activity. A local conspiracy lawyer could evaluate the facts of the case and determine an effective defense strategy for the circumstances.

Give a Shelton Conspiracy Attorney a Call Today

A conspiracy charge alleges that you agreed to commit a criminal offense with at least one other person. It does not matter whether the offense actually occurred. The prosecution may pursue a conviction by merely arguing that you agreed to commit a crime and took steps to further the alleged plan.

At Ruane Attorneys, a Shelton conspiracy lawyer could help you defend yourself against these allegations. Our attorneys could work to contest the idea that there was an agreement or act toward committing a crime. In other cases, it may be possible to raise a defense involving your attempts to renounce the conspiracy. Contact our legal team today to discuss your case and begin working on your defense.