A federal conspiracy defense lawyer in West Frankfort, IL helps people charged with plotting a federal crime — 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.
If convicted, you could face up to five years in prison — or far longer depending on the crime involved. Federal conspiracy cases are complex, high stakes, and often involve multiple defendants and early government action.
Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
- What makes a conspiracy case under federal law
- The three elements the government needs to win
- Common types of federal conspiracy cases
- Possible penalties and minimums
- How to fight the case before and after indictment
What Is a Federal Conspiracy Charge?
You can face a federal conspiracy charge just for agreeing to commit a crime and doing something small to help make it happen — even if the plan failed or was never completed.
To convict someone under 18 U.S.C. § 371, there are three things the law requires prosecutors to prove:
- Agreement – The individuals made a shared plan to do something illegal under federal law.
Examples:
An IT consultant and a client agree to submit fake cybersecurity compliance reports to a federal agency.
Two roommates plan to traffic prescription pills using the postal service. - Intent – Everyone involved knew the plan was against the law and chose to take part.
Examples:
Someone agrees to help move money they know is tied to drug sales — not by accident or mistake.
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: Buying shipping supplies for the drugs, researching government loan criteria, or deleting emails that could be used as evidence.
What Must West Frankfort, IL Prosecutors Prove in a Federal Conspiracy Case?
To convict you, prosecutors must prove each part of the conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
That means proving the plan’s size, who joined in, and what steps were taken to make it happen.
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 West Frankfort, IL
Prosecutors use conspiracy laws strategically to widen the scope of criminal charges. While drug and financial conspiracies lead the list, federal conspiracy laws cover much more.
These are the types of conspiracy cases we most frequently handle in West Frankfort, 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)
Two or more people plan to cheat a person, business, or agency out of money or property — often using phones, email, or mail. - Obstruction of Justice Conspiracy
Agreement to prevent justice through tampering, intimidation, or destruction of records. - Firearms Conspiracy
Involves working together to move or use guns unlawfully, sometimes with violent intent. - Immigration Conspiracy
Involves plans to smuggle people, falsify documents, or harbor undocumented immigrants. - Public Corruption Conspiracy
Bribery or misuse of public office involving multiple people. - Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241)
Agreement to harm or threaten someone because they exercised their legal rights. - Terrorism-Related Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b)
Plot involving threats or violence aimed at U.S. interests, whether successful or not. - Tax Evasion Conspiracy
Working together to avoid paying taxes using fake numbers or hidden accounts. - Environmental Crimes Conspiracy
Working together to ignore or violate environmental protection standards. - Securities Fraud Conspiracy
Working together on illegal schemes like insider trading or fake accounting.
Penalties for Conspiracy Under Federal Law
Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, conspiracy can bring up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. That’s only the minimum under the law. When the conspiracy is tied to a major crime, the penalty usually matches the seriousness of that offense. So, you might still get decades behind bars — even if no one completed the crime.
The judge must also follow federal sentencing rules. This means your past criminal record, your role in the plan, and other details will affect how much time you might serve.
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
There’s no one-size-fits-all defense, but these are some of the strongest ways to fight a federal conspiracy charge.
- No agreement
No agreement means no conspiracy — and the case could fall apart. - Lack of intent
You might have joined a conversation or action without meaning to break the law — and that matters. - No overt act
The law requires at least one concrete action — without it, the conspiracy charge may fail. - Entrapment
Entrapment applies if you were convinced or forced by the government to take part. - Mistaken identity or role
Sometimes people get accused just because they’re near others — not because they did anything wrong. - 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 West Frankfort, IL Hard to Beat?
Yes — because prosecutors don’t need to prove the crime was actually completed. Just agreeing to it, along with one overt act by any participant, can be enough. That makes these charges especially tough. A strong defense can push back against weak evidence and protect your future. Acting early gives your lawyer more leverage — especially before indictment.
Facing a federal charge is very different than facing one in state court. 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 West Frankfort, IL Federal Defense Team
Facing a federal conspiracy charge means you need a lawyer who knows how federal court works in West Frankfort, IL — and who’s done it before. Here’s what sets our West Frankfort, IL federal defense team apart:
- We’ve spent more than 50 years defending people accused of serious crimes, including federal conspiracies.
- With over 10,000 criminal cases under our belt, we’ve defended clients in everything from white collar conspiracy to obstruction.
- We’re licensed in federal court and ready to go to trial when needed — including in the Southern District of Illinois.
- Forget hourly fees — we use transparent flat rates, so you won’t get surprised by your legal bill. Need an update or have a concern? You can call without worrying about more fees.
- You’ll have direct access to your attorney throughout your case, not just a paralegal or receptionist.
Contact a Federal Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in West Frankfort, IL
Facing a federal conspiracy allegation or indictment? Time is critical. Federal cases move fast, and early action can make or break your defense. Our West Frankfort, IL federal defense team is ready to act immediately.
Whether you’ve gotten a target letter, have already been indicted, or are nearing sentencing, we’ll work to protect your future.
Don’t delay — schedule a confidential case review with a West Frankfort, IL federal conspiracy lawyer by calling (314) 900-HELP or filling out our contact form.
