If you’re like most people, you’ve likely joked about crime in passing, whether telling a friend you’re going to “steal” their new sweatshirt or suggesting speeding to an event to avoid being late. However, when you’re serious about the commission of a crime and go so far as to create an agreement with others to carry out the offense, this becomes criminal. If you’ve been charged with the crime of conspiracy in Oklahoma, it’s critical to understand the elements the charge encompasses and the penalties you can face if convicted. The following blog explores these matters and the importance of working with an Oklahoma City felony defense lawyer if you’re facing legal trouble.

What Warrants a Conspiracy Charge in Oklahoma?

Generally, any time two or more parties agree to commit a criminal activity, it warrants a conspiracy charge. This is true even if the crime was never committed. As such, the agreement to commit a crime in and of itself is a crime.

As such, there are three different elements to this crime that the prosecution must be able to prove to secure a conviction. These are as follows:

  • Agreement: In Oklahoma, any agreement, whether formal or informal, to commit a crime can warrant a conspiracy charge. As such, if you and another person casually had a conversation about burglarizing a home, it can be used against you.
  • Intent: Talking about the commission of a crime is not inherently illegal. However, both parties must actually intend to commit the crime.
  • Overt Act: In addition to agreeing and having the intent to commit a crime, you’ll find that an overt act must be carried out that furthers the conspiracy agreement. It’s important to note that this does not have to be an illegal act; even something as simple as purchasing supplies for the crime, which is not inherently illegal, is considered an overt act under conspiracy.

It’s important to understand that conspiracy can arise out of the agreement to commit any type of crime, such as drug trafficking, murder, theft, or fraud.

What Penalties Can I Face if Convicted?

Facing a conspiracy offense is not something that should be taken lightly, as this can be an incredibly serious offense. While conspiracy in and of itself is typically a misdemeanor offense, if the crime you plan on committing is a felony, the charge will increase to reflect the severity of the offense. As such, if you are charged with conspiracy in relation to a felony sexual assault offense, you will face a felony conspiracy charge. For example, if you are charged with conspiracy to commit a violent felony offense, you could face charges of up to 20 years in prison, even if you never carried out the crime.

As you can see, a conspiracy charge is not something that should be taken lightly in Oklahoma. If you find yourself facing a felony conspiracy offense, it’s critical to connect with an experienced criminal defense attorney with the Jones Firm, PLLC. Our dedicated and passionate team understands how serious these charges are. That is why we will do everything in our power to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.