Facing federal conspiracy allegations? A federal conspiracy defense lawyer in Harrisburg, IL defends people accused of agreeing to break federal law — even if that crime never happened. Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, it’s illegal for two or more people to intentionally agree to break federal law or defraud the United States, and for at least one of them to take a step toward making it happen.
That’s all it takes:
Agreement + intent + overt act = a federal felony conspiracy charge.
Penalties start at five years, but some conspiracy convictions carry decades behind bars. Federal conspiracy cases are complex, high stakes, and often involve multiple defendants and early government action.
Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
- The basics of federal conspiracy law
- How the feds build these charges
- Real-life scenarios that qualify as conspiracy
- How long you could go to prison if convicted
- How to fight the case before and after indictment
What Is a Federal Conspiracy Charge?
Conspiracy under federal law happens when people plan to break U.S. law and one of them takes action to move the plan forward — even if the actual crime never occurred.
To convict someone under 18 U.S.C. § 371, the government must prove three main things:
- Agreement – Two or more people agreed to commit a federal crime or to defraud the government.
Examples:
A business owner and an accountant agree to lie on loan applications to get extra funds.
A group of friends agree to smuggle controlled substances across state lines for resale. - Intent – Each person meant to join the plan and understood it was illegal.
Examples:
An employee knowingly agrees to leak confidential federal data for a bribe.
Someone agrees to open bank accounts for a fraud ring after being told what the accounts will be used for. - Overt Act – A single act was committed that advanced the illegal agreement in some way.
Examples: Driving a package of counterfeit goods to a drop location, researching government loan criteria, or booking a hotel room for a co-conspirator.
What Must Harrisburg, IL Prosecutors Prove in a Federal Conspiracy Case?
Every detail of the conspiracy must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for the government to win the case.
They must show the scope of the agreement, each person’s role, and what actions were taken to support it.
Key issues in a federal conspiracy case include:
- Scope of the agreement – Was the goal narrow and specific or part of a broader plan with multiple layers?
- Specific role – Was the defendant a willing participant, or just associated with people under suspicion?
- Timing and overt act – When did the plan begin, and what real step proved it was more than talk?
For more details, see the DOJ’s criminal resource manual on conspiracy or Cornell’s overview of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
Common Types of Federal Conspiracy Cases in Harrisburg, IL
Federal prosecutors often use conspiracy charges to go after multiple defendants at once. Most people think of drugs or fraud, but conspiracy charges can apply to nearly any federal crime.
Here are the most common types of federal conspiracy charges we see in Harrisburg, IL:
Criminal Federal Conspiracy Crime Examples
- Drug Trafficking Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846)
Plan to produce, move, or sell illegal drugs across state or national lines. - Fraud Conspiracy (wire, mail, bank, healthcare)
Plan to carry out a fraud using communication tools like mail, phones, or the internet. - Obstruction of Justice Conspiracy
Agreement to prevent justice through tampering, intimidation, or destruction of records. - Firearms Conspiracy
Agreement to illegally get, sell, or use guns — often tied to other serious crimes. - Immigration Conspiracy
Plan to violate immigration laws through smuggling, sheltering, or paperwork fraud. - Public Corruption Conspiracy
Bribery or misuse of public office involving multiple people. - Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241)
Working together to stop someone from freely using their constitutional rights. - Terrorism-Related Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b)
Agreement to carry out terrorist activity or aid extremist groups. - Tax Evasion Conspiracy
Working together to avoid paying taxes using fake numbers or hidden accounts. - Environmental Crimes Conspiracy
Agreement to break pollution or safety laws, like dumping waste or lying on reports. - Securities Fraud Conspiracy
Agreement to deceive others for financial gain through stock or investment fraud.
Penalties for Conspiracy Under Federal Law
The standard penalty for conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 is up to 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. However, that’s only the base penalty. If the plan involved a more serious federal offense — like drug trafficking or terrorism — then the punishment is based on that offense instead. In other words, you can be punished as if the crime occurred — even if it didn’t.
The judge must also follow federal sentencing rules. This includes looking at your background, what part you played, and any special factors in your case.
Federal Conspiracy Penalties
| Type of Conspiracy | Penalty Range |
|---|---|
| General Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371) | Up to 5 years in prison |
| Drug Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846) | 5–40 years or life, depending on drug amount |
| Fraud Conspiracy | Based on the underlying fraud (often 20+ years) |
| Obstruction Conspiracy | Up to 20 years |
| Firearms Conspiracy | 5–20 years depending on type of weapon and use |
| Terrorism Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b) | Up to life in prison |
| Human Trafficking Conspiracy | 10 years to life |
| Public Corruption Conspiracy | Up to 5–20 years depending on offense |
| Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241) | Up to life if bodily harm or death results |
| Immigration Conspiracy | Up to 10 years (can increase with aggravating factors) |
| Environmental Crimes Conspiracy | Up to 5–20 years based on type and impact |
| Tax Evasion Conspiracy | Up to 5 years per offense |
Defense Strategies Against Federal Conspiracy Allegations
No single defense fits every case, but here are some of the most common (and effective) ways to challenge a conspiracy charge:
- No agreement
If the prosecution can’t prove you knowingly agreed to the crime, there’s no conspiracy. - Lack of intent
Even if you were involved, if you didn’t mean to join an illegal plan, it may not count as conspiracy. - No overt act
If no one took a real step toward the plan, prosecutors may not have enough to convict. - Entrapment
When federal agents pressure someone into doing something they wouldn’t normally do, that can be a defense. - Mistaken identity or role
You might be named in a case but have played no actual part in the crime. - Procedural violations
If the government broke rules during arrest, search, or wiretaps, your attorney can push to throw out evidence.
Are Federal Conspiracy Charges in Harrisburg, IL Hard to Beat?
Yes — since prosecutors don’t have to show that the crime actually happened. All it takes is an agreement and a single act toward the plan — even if nothing else happened. This is why conspiracy charges are especially difficult to beat. But the right legal defense can still expose flaws in the case, challenge key elements, and protect your rights. The earlier you get help, the more options your lawyer has — especially before formal charges.
Federal conspiracy charges aren’t like state-level cases. These cases go through U.S. District Court and usually involve deep investigations by the FBI, IRS, or other federal agencies — and the penalties are tougher. Because federal prosecutors are well-funded and highly trained, hiring the right defense lawyer early can be key.
Why Choose Our Harrisburg, IL Federal Defense Team
If you’re dealing with a federal conspiracy charge, you need a seasoned federal defense attorney who understands the federal court system. Here’s what sets our Harrisburg, IL federal defense team apart:
- We’ve spent more than 60 years defending people accused of serious crimes, including federal conspiracies.
- We’ve handled more than 10,000 criminal cases, from drug and fraud conspiracies to obstruction and white collar investigations.
- Our attorneys are trial-tested and licensed to practice in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
- We don’t charge by the hour — our flat rates give you certainty and peace of mind. You can reach out for case updates any time — it won’t cost you extra.
- We don’t hand your case off to assistants — you’ll talk directly with your attorney from start to finish.
Contact a Federal Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in Harrisburg, IL
Charged or under investigation for federal conspiracy? Don’t wait. These cases move quickly — and what you do now can shape the rest of your life. Our Harrisburg, IL federal defense team is ready to act immediately.
We represent clients at all stages — from target letter to indictment to sentencing — and fight to safeguard your rights.
Contact us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out through our online form to set up a confidential consultation — free of charge.
