Drug Conspiracy and Organized Crime

What a conspiracy charge means

A conspiracy charge says that two or more people agreed to commit a crime. In drug cases, that can mean an agreement to sell, transport or distribute drugs. A person can be charged with conspiracy even if they never touched drugs themselves, and even if they played a small part.

Organized-crime charges are similar: they accuse a group of people of working together to commit crimes over time. In Texas state court, this is often called engaging in organized criminal activity. In federal court, cases can involve conspiracy, racketeering or money-laundering charges.

These cases often include many people charged together, wiretaps or recorded calls, informants, and months of investigation.

What may be at stake

• Your freedom. Some federal drug charges carry required minimum prison sentences, which depend on the drug, the amount and your history.
• Being held responsible for what others in the alleged group did, not only your own actions
• Money, vehicles or property the government says is connected to the case
• Your immigration status, if you are not a U.S. citizen

How a conspiracy case usually moves

Every case is different, and the steps and timing can vary. In general:

1. Investigation. Agents use surveillance, informants, recorded calls and searches, sometimes for a long time.
2. Indictment and arrest. Several people are often charged and arrested at the same time.
3. Release decision. A magistrate judge decides whether you can be released while the case goes on.
4. Evidence review. Your attorney reviews recordings, reports and what other people have said.
5. Resolution. The case may be resolved by agreement or go to trial. You decide whether to accept an offer or go to trial.

How our attorneys help

• We look at what you actually did and knew, separate from what others did.
• We test the evidence: how recordings were obtained, how drug amounts were counted, and why informants may have reasons to shade the truth.
• We explain how the sentencing rules apply to you, in plain words.
• We defend these cases in both federal and state court.