Conspiracy

Conspiracy Offenses Defined by Nevada Criminal Lawyer

In the state of Nevada, you can face punishment for a crime like murder even if you are not the person who actually takes any overt action that breaks the law prohibiting the illegal behavior. This is because Nevada makes it unlawful to conspire with others to commit a criminal act. This means if you work with partners to plan a criminal offense, you could face criminal charges.

The penalties for conspiracy crimes can be very serious. In fact, you could be convicted of a felony offense and imprisoned for a long time if you are found guilty of a conspiracy offense. The specifics of the penalties that you will face are going to vary depending upon the crime you allegedly conspire to commit, but any conviction could be life-changing.

Because conspiracy offenses are so serious, it is important that you take action if you have been accused of conspiracy. This should take the form of contacting a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you to understand Nevada’s laws on conspiracy and can assist you in evaluating the evidence that you conspired to break the law. Based on the charges you are facing and the strength of the evidence against you, your attorney will help you to develop and carry out an appropriate legal strategy to avoid or minimize penalties.

LV Criminal Defense has provided representation to many defendants accused of conspiracy crimes. We have strong knowledge of Nevada’s laws on conspiracy and we understand both what a prosecutor must prove and how to introduce reasonable doubt in a prosecutor’s case to maximize the chances of acquittal. You should get help from a compassionate and knowledgeable member of our legal team as soon as you have been accused of conspiracy so we can put your knowledge to work for you. Give us a call today.

Conspiracy Law in Nevada

In Nevada, Title 15 of the state code is the section of Nevada law that details crimes and punishments. Within Title 15, Chapter 199 defines crimes against public justice. Conspiracy to commit a crime is considered a crime against public justice, so conspiracy offenses are found within Chapter 199 of Title 15.

In fact, conspiracy is a separate subsection within Chapter 199 and there are two statutes within the subsection: Nevada Revised Statute section 199.480, which deals with penalties, and Nevada Revised Statute section 199.490, which explains that a defendant could potentially be found guilty of a conspiracy even if none of the co-conspirators did an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.

According to N.R.S. 199.480, if two or more people conspire to commit murder, kidnapping, sexual assault or arson, this conspiracy could be a category B felony offense. N.R.S. 199.480 details the specific penalties that could result for a defendant convicted of the category B offense. These penalties vary depending upon what crime the defendant conspired to commit.

• If a defendant conspired to commit first or second degree kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, or first or second degree arson, the penalties will include a minimum of one year imprisonment and a maximum of six years imprisonment. A fine of up to $5,000 could also be imposed.
• If a defendant co inspired to commit murder, the defendant could be punished with a minimum two year imprisonment and with a maximum of 10 years imprisonment along with a fine of $5,000.

For other conspiracies, including conspiring to have someone falsely arrested or prosecuted; conspiring to defraud someone out of property by unlawful means; preventing anyone from doing a lawful act; or conspiring to commit acts injurious to the public health, public morals, or trade or commerce, the defendant could be found guilty of a gross misdemeanor. The punishment for a gross misdemeanor could include up to a one year term of imprisonment in county jail as well as a maximum fine of $2,000.

The second statute found within the Conspiracy section in Chapter 199 addresses whether or not an overt act must be taken in order for a defendant to be found guilty of a conspiracy crime. Generally, simply talking about planning a criminal offense would not be sufficient for someone to be found guilty of a conspiracy crime. At least one of the co-conspirators would need to take some action in furtherance of the offense.

For example, if two individuals conspired to commit murder, they would not be found guilty of conspiracy just for talking about a plan to commit a murder. However, if either of those two individuals purchased a gun that was intended to be used in the murder, then both of the conspiring individuals — including the person who did not actually make the purchase — could be charged with and potentially convicted of conspiracy.

N.R.S. 199.490 removes this requirement that an overt act be taken for a defendant to be found guilty of a conspiracy offense under the provisions of Chapter 199. Because N.R.S. 199.490 makes clear that no overt act is necessary for a defendant to be found guilty and to face penalties under N.R.S. 199.480, it is possible that a defendant cold be charged and convicted just for talking with others about the commission of a murder, a second degree kidnapping, a sexual assault, a robbery, or another offense.

Because a prosecutor does not have to prove an overt act, this can make it easier for a prosecutor to secure a conviction for a conspiracy offense under N.R.S. 199.480.