Being charged with a federal conspiracy offense can turn your entire life upside down. These cases often involve more than one person, serious accusations, and the full power of the federal government. Whether the charge involves drugs, fraud, or other crimes, the penalties are often severe. Conspiracy cases can lead to long prison sentences, large fines, and permanent damage to your record and future.
Kenney Legal Defense helps people facing federal conspiracy charges in San Diego and beyond. As a skilled criminal defense law firm, we understand the federal court system and how these complex cases work. Our San Diego federal conspiracy lawyer provides legal representation for people accused of white-collar crime, drug trafficking, wire fraud, and more.
With real trial experience and deep knowledge of federal law, we fight to protect your rights and defend your future at every stage of the legal process.
Our San Diego Federal Defense Attorney Protects Your Future
Federal conspiracy charges are not like regular state crimes. These cases are handled in federal court and involve different rules, procedures, and penalties. You need a defense lawyer who knows how to deal with federal investigations, grand jury subpoenas, and the tactics used by federal prosecutors.
Kenney Legal Defense fights back by challenging the evidence, questioning the prosecutor's case, and helping you understand every option you have. Whether you are facing charges under Title 21, the RICO Act, or conspiracy to commit mail fraud or drug trafficking, we guide you through every step.
What Is a Federal Conspiracy Charge?
A federal conspiracy charge means that two or more people are accused of agreeing to commit a criminal act and taking at least one step (called an “overt act”) toward doing it. Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, the government doesn't have to prove that the crime was finished, just that there was an agreement and one action taken in support of that plan. In fact, you do not even have to know all the people alleged in the conspiracy to be charged.
This charge is often used when the federal government believes there is a group working together to break federal law. Conspiracy can be tied to many crimes, including drug charges, money laundering, and white-collar crimes like wire fraud or Medicare fraud.
Common Federal Offenses Tied to Conspiracy
Drug trafficking (21 U.S.C. § 846)
Conspiracy to commit drug trafficking under 21 U.S.C. § 846 is one of the most common charges filed in federal court. This charge applies when two or more people are believed to have agreed to move, sell, or distribute controlled substances like fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, or meth.
Even if no drugs were physically moved, just planning or helping with the operation, such as supplying materials, making calls, or arranging meetings can lead to conspiracy charges.
The federal government often combines this with other federal drug crimes, including conspiracy to distribute drugs and violations of sections 841(a) and 952 of the U.S. Code.
Wire Fraud
Wire fraud conspiracy charges come from plans to use phones, emails, or the internet to commit fraud. This can include lying to investors, tricking people into giving money, or running online scams. Because internet crimes often cross state borders, they fall under federal jurisdiction.
If more than one person took part in setting up or carrying out the fraud, conspiracy charges can be added on top of the underlying wire fraud offense.
Money Laundering
Money laundering involves hiding or moving money earned from illegal activity to make it seem legal. In conspiracy cases, the federal government must show that two or more people planned to move or clean the money through banks, businesses, or fake transactions. These cases often involve drug trafficking, fraud, or illegal gambling, and may be tied to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act or other federal banking laws.
Immigration Crimes
Conspiracy can also apply to immigration-related crimes, such as helping people enter the country illegally, falsifying documents, or lying to immigration authorities. These cases are serious because they often involve claims of smuggling, document fraud, or national security risks. The federal government may add conspiracy charges even if you didn't carry out the act yourself, but helped plan or support it.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar conspiracy charges are common in cases involving corporate fraud, public corruption, mortgage fraud, and violations of the False Claims Act. These cases may involve multiple people working together to file false reports, steal government funds, or cheat the banking system. When there's proof that people worked together (even through emails or verbal agreements) federal prosecutors may file conspiracy charges to increase the pressure and penalties.
How the Federal Government Proves Conspiracy
To win a federal conspiracy case, prosecutors must prove that you agreed with someone else to break the law and that at least one person took an overt act to make that plan happen. The federal prosecutor can use text messages, emails, phone records, or witness testimony to try to show an agreement.
They may also use federal investigative tools like wiretaps, pen registers, video surveillance, or judicial assistance to build their case. These tools are powerful, which is why you need a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to fight them and protect your rights.
Penalties for Federal Conspiracy Charges
Federal conspiracy charges come with serious penalties, even if the planned crime was never finished. If the conspiracy involved drug trafficking, fraud, or another federal offense, the punishment could include years in prison and large fines.
The sentence often depends on the type of crime, how much you were involved, and what the government can prove in court.
Lack of Agreement or Intent
You cannot be found guilty of conspiracy if there was no real agreement to break the law. Just talking about something illegal is not enough. The federal prosecutor must show that you meant to be part of the plan and agreed to help commit the crime.
Mere Association with Co-Defendants
Knowing or spending time with someone who committed a federal crime does not make you guilty. The court needs proof that you were part of the plan, not just friends or family with someone accused of a conspiracy.
Entrapment by Federal Agents
Sometimes, federal agents pressure people into doing things they would not normally do. If a government officer pushed you into agreeing to a crime that you never wanted to be part of, your lawyer may argue that you were a victim of entrapment if the particular circumstances of your case warrant the defense.
No Overt Act Committed
An overt act is any small step taken to carry out the plan. If no one involved in the alleged conspiracy took any action, even a minor one, the case may not meet the legal requirement for conspiracy under federal law.
Insufficient or Illegally Obtained Evidence
Evidence collected without following proper search and seizure procedures may be thrown out. This includes evidence from illegal surveillance, wiretaps, or unapproved searches of federal property or private communications.
How Our Firm Handles Federal Investigations and Grand Jury Subpoenas
Federal investigations can start long before you are ever charged. You may receive a grand jury subpoena, or federal agents might try to question you. Kenney Legal Defense takes quick action to protect your rights from the start. We help you respond properly, avoid mistakes, and prepare for what's coming.
Our criminal defense lawyer can deal directly with the U.S. Attorney's Office, review all documents, and stop the case from getting worse. Whether you're under investigation or already facing federal charges, we step in early to give you the best chance at success.
Conspiracy Charges and Related White Collar Crimes
Many conspiracy cases are tied to white collar crimes. These crimes involve money, lies, or misuse of business and government systems. They are often non-violent but still carry strong federal penalties.
If two or more people plan these crimes together, conspiracy charges may be added, making the case more serious in federal court.
Securities Fraud
Securities fraud happens when someone lies about a company's value or financial health to trick investors. This includes giving false reports, hiding business losses, or using inside information to buy or sell stocks. If multiple people plan this type of fraud together (such as company insiders, accountants, or brokers), they can be charged with both securities fraud and conspiracy.
Health Care Fraud
Health care fraud involves cheating medical programs like Medicare or Medicaid. This can include billing for services that never happened, charging more than allowed, or using fake patient records. When more than one person works together to set up or run the scheme (such as doctors, staff, or billing companies), they may face health care fraud and conspiracy charges under federal law.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud means lying to an insurance company to get money. This could be faking an injury, making up a stolen car report, or inflating property damage after a disaster. If a group of people work together to plan false claims or file fake reports, the federal government may file conspiracy charges along with the fraud accusations.
Bank Fraud
Bank fraud is when someone uses lies or false documents to steal money from a bank or trick the financial system. It can include fake loan applications, forged checks, or stolen account numbers. If two or more people are involved in the planning or actions, even if the plan doesn't succeed, conspiracy to commit bank fraud can be charged in federal court.
Why Choose Our San Diego Federal Conspiracy Lawyer?
Facing federal conspiracy charges is serious, and choosing the right lawyer can change the outcome of your case. Kenney Legal Defense understands how the federal system works and how to protect you when the stakes are high.
Here's why people trust our firm:
1. We Focus on Federal Criminal Defense
Our firm has real experience handling federal cases involving drug trafficking, wire fraud, money laundering, and white collar crimes throughout the United States. We know how federal prosecutors build conspiracy cases and how to fight back in federal court.
2. We Understand How to Handle Complex Investigations
We know how to respond to grand jury subpoenas, federal investigations, and aggressive tactics used by federal agents. We help clients early in the process to avoid mistakes that can hurt their case.
3. We Build Strong Legal Strategies
We do not wait to react. We review every detail of your case, look for weak evidence, and find legal problems in how the investigation was done. Whether it's a faulty search and seizure or no clear overt act, we find ways to challenge the prosecutor's case.
4. We're Clear, Direct, and Easy to Work With
We use simple language to explain what's happening and what to expect. Our clients stay updated and informed, and we answer questions quickly. You won't be left in the dark during a stressful time.
5. We Have Real Trial Experience and a Record of Results
Our lead criminal defense lawyer has handled serious cases in federal court, from fraud and drug crimes to conspiracy and RICO-related charges. If your case goes to trial, you'll have a strong trial attorney on your side who knows how to present your case to a jury.
FAQs
1. What is the sentence for federal conspiracy?
The sentence depends on the crime you're accused of planning. It can be as high as the penalty for the main crime, even if it was never finished.
2. Can I be charged with conspiracy even if I didn't commit the crime?Yes. Federal conspiracy charges focus on the agreement and overt acts, not the completed crime.
3. What if I was only friends with someone involved in a conspiracy?
That's not enough for a conviction. The federal prosecutor must prove you agreed to help with the plan and took a step toward it.
4. Are conspiracy charges used in drug cases?
Yes. Conspiracy to traffic controlled substances is very common, especially in federal drug crime cases under Title 21 and 21 U.S.C. § 846.
5. What should I do if I get a grand jury subpoena?
Call a criminal defense attorney right away. Do not talk to investigators or appear before the grand jury without legal help.
Contact Our San Diego Federal Conspiracy Lawyer for a Free Case Quote Today
If you're facing conspiracy charges in San Diego or have been caught up in a federal investigation, now is the time to act. Federal conspiracy cases move quickly and involve serious risks, including prison time, a permanent record, and the loss of your civil rights.
Kenney Legal Defense is here to help. We handle federal criminal defense cases tied to white-collar crimes, drug charges, money laundering, and conspiracy. Our San Diego federal conspiracy lawyer has the experience and legal knowledge needed to protect you against the full power of the U.S. Government.
We work with people accused of all types of federal crimes. Whether you're under investigation or already charged, we fight to defend your future. Contact us today for a free case quote from a federal criminal defense lawyer who puts your freedom first.