Practice Area

Federal Conspiracy Defense

Federal conspiracy charges are among the most broadly written in criminal law. Prosecutors use them aggressively — and you need a defense attorney with deep federal court experience.

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What Is Federal Conspiracy?

Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, a federal conspiracy charge requires only that two or more people agreed to commit a federal offense and that at least one person took an overt act in furtherance of that agreement. You do not need to have committed the underlying crime yourself. You do not even need to know all the details of the scheme. Prosecutors use conspiracy charges to cast a wide net and bring in defendants who played minor roles.

How Prosecutors Build Conspiracy Cases

Federal prosecutors build conspiracy cases using wiretaps, informants, cooperating witnesses, financial records, and surveillance. They often charge the conspiracy separately from the underlying offense, which can dramatically increase the total sentence exposure. Co-defendants are frequently pressured to cooperate against others in exchange for reduced sentences, making the loyalty of co-defendants a critical factor in every conspiracy case.

Mandatory Minimums and Sentencing

Many federal conspiracy charges carry mandatory minimum sentences — particularly drug conspiracies under 21 U.S.C. § 846. These minimums can range from 5 to 40 years depending on the drug type and quantity involved. Federal sentencing guidelines further structure the range, and judges have limited discretion to depart downward without a government motion. Understanding the sentencing landscape from day one is essential.

Jeff's Federal Court Experience

Jeff has represented clients in federal conspiracy cases involving drug trafficking, fraud, and organized crime in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri and beyond. He understands how federal prosecutors think, how to challenge cooperating witness testimony, and how to negotiate effectively when a trial is not the best path forward.