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Conspiracy to Distribute
Aggressive Lawyers Defending Those Accused of Drug Distribution and Conspiracy in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Throughout Michigan
At Grabel & Associates, we know that the law of conspiracy is complex, and applies to circumstances in which two or more individuals agree to commit an unlawful act. A conspiracy, or "partnership," is a powerful tool for prosecutors; those convicted will face harsh penalties without the support and guidance of an experienced Michigan drug conspiracy attorney.
Essentially, when you conspire to participate in an action it does not necessarily mean that you carried through with the action. However, law enforcement officials and prosecutors often use conspiracy as a tactic to hold someone responsible for an act that he or she never took part in. It is very common for the government to allege or make accusations that two or more individuals have conspired or agreed to work in unison in order to distribute narcotics or other illegal drugs. It is critical that individuals accused of conspiracy to distribute obtain capable legal guidance. Otherwise the result can be devastating, due to existing laws that govern mandatory minimum sentencing for certain drugs.
Drug Distribution and Conspiracy: Two Separate Crimes That Often Go Hand-in-Hand
Frequently, drug distribution and drug conspiracy charges are filed simultaneously, even though they are two separate offenses. When an individual is charged with drug distribution, the individual allegedly transported or delivered drugs. In other words, is was the unlawful selling of a controlled substance. Drug conspiracy charges differ in that two or more individuals have allegedly agreed or conspired to complete a drug deal, although it may never have occurred. Unfortunately, prosecutors often add charges of conspiracy on top of drug distribution charges, as it helps the prosecutor establish evidence and expose the accused individual(s) further to criminal penalties.
Conspiracy to Distribute Criminal Defense
Drug conspiracy charges are often leveled against individuals who possess drug paraphernalia, scales, baggies or a substantial amount of cash; this evidence may be used by the prosecutor to argue the case that the intention was to distribute the drugs to another individual or party, otherwise you would not have been in possession of the large quantity of cash, paraphernalia, etc.
Some of the drugs often involved in a conspiracy case include:
A talented Michigan drug crimes attorney with Grabel & Associates will provide those who have been charged with these types of drug offenses with solid and effective legal guidance and representation. There are a number of defenses that may be used on behalf of individuals arrested for these crimes, depending on the circumstances.
Why are conspiracy charges such an effective tool for law enforcement and prosecutors? By proving conspiracy, authorities can often get to the "heart" of the criminal activity, taking down entire groups of individuals believed to be involved in both manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs and narcotics.
What the Prosecution Must Prove
In order for an individual to be convicted and subsequently sentenced to prison and other penalties, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
- In some manner, two or more individuals came to a mutual "agreement" or conspired to accomplish a common goal or plan that is unlawful;
- The individual charged became a member of the agreement or conspiracy willfully;
- At least one of the individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy knowingly or willfully committed at least one overt (obvious or evident) act; and
- That the individual committed the “overt act” knowingly in an effort to accomplish or carry out some component of the conspiracy.
Even if an individual does not know who the other individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy are and has no knowledge of the details of the illegal scheme, he or she may become a member of the conspiracy. Willfully joining the unlawful scheme, even on only a single occasion can be sufficient for a conviction.
At Grabel & Associates, our Michigan drug crimes defense lawyers are aggressive, skilled and capable. We take pride in our outstanding track record of defending client that are accused of drug-related offenses. Contact our office today at 1-800-342-7896.
