If you or a loved one is charged with a conspiracy charge, then this is a serious charge with grave and lasting consequences. Depending on the grade of the conspiracy, you or a your loved one who is facing this charge may be looking at potential prison time, as well as hefty fine. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we have the knowledge, credentials, experience, and man-power to combat a conspiracy charge. At our criminal defense law firm, we have:

  • Eleven (11) criminal defense attorneys on staff
    • Combined together, over 200 years of experience
  • Eight (8) former prosecutors on staff
    • Four (4) were former county prosecutors who’ve all tried high-profiled murders trials before a jury during their tenure as prosecutors
    • Many held directorial positions during their tenures as former assistant county prosecutors
  • Multiple attorneys selected to either the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 or Top 40 Under 40
  • Two (2) attorneys selected to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for criminal defense
    • Only 2.5% of attorneys in New Jersey are selected to said list
  • One (1) attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney
    • Less than 1% of attorneys hold this distinction in New Jersey

Please give our office a call at 201-201-0086. We are available 24/7.

Hackensack Conspiracy Attorney

Conspiracy is codified under New Jersey law as 2C:5-2. A conspiracy charge will be prosecuted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The definition of conspiracy is as follows:

  • A defendant is guilty of conspiracy if with another person or persons if they conspire to commit a crime with the purpose of promoting or facilitating its commission he/she:
    • agrees with the person or persons that they, or one, or more of them, will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime; or
    • agrees to aid a person or persons in the planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime.

It is not a defense that you only knew one of the conspirators, but not the others. A person can only be charged with one conspiracy charge even though he/she conspired to commit a number of crimes so long as the number of crimes are the object oft he same agreement or continuous conspiratorial relationship. It is not a defense that one or some of the objectives of the conspiracy was not criminal.

In order to prove a first or second degree conspiracy, or a distribution/possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog an overt act must have taken place.

Is there an affirmative defense for a conspiracy charge?

There is an affirmative defense when it comes to a conspiracy charge. The defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) that after conspiring to commit a crime, he/she informed the authority of the existence of the conspiracy and his participation therein and thwarted or caused to be thwarted the commission of any offense in furtherance of the conspiracy.

Penalties for a Conspiracy Charge

First degree conspiracy charge carries:

  • Maximum of twenty years in a state prison
  • Minimum of ten years in a state prison
  • Presumption that the defendant will be sentenced to state prison
  • A fine up to $200,000.00

Second degree conspiracy charge carries:

  • Maximum of ten years in a state prison
  • Minimum of five years in a state prison
  • Presumption that the defendant will be sentenced to state prison
  • A fine up to $150,000.00

Third degree conspiracy charge carries:

  • Maximum of five years in a state prison
  • Minimum of three years in a state prison
  • A fine up to $15,000.00

Bergen County Conspiracy Lawyers

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we are an experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense Law Firm. We have a long track record of success . If you or someone you know has been charged with conspiracy, then money laundering or drug charges will likely be issued depending on the facts of the case. If you have any further questions please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices for a free initial consultation with any one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys at 201-201-0086, we’re available 24/7.