Bill and Ted are later arrested for conspiracy to commit burglary. Even though they never explicitly discussed their plan, their actions and common purpose to commit a crime can be inferred as an agreement.
Overt act
An overt act is an act that is done in furtherance of the agreement.7
The act must be more than mere preparation to commit a crime. It must be a step that is close to the actual commission of the crime.8
The act must also be done with the intent to further the agreement.9
Note that the overt act does not have to be a crime in and of itself. It just has to be an act that is done in furtherance of the agreement to commit a crime.10
2. Best Defenses
A defendant can challenge a conspiracy charge with a legal defense. A few common defenses are:
- no agreement,
- no overt act, and/or
- the defendant withdrew from the conspiracy.
No agreement
Recall that a defendant is only guilty of conspiracy if he agreed to commit a crime. This means it is always a defense for an accused to say that he never agreed to commit a crime.11
Note, though, that the agreement can be inferred from the defendant’s conduct.12
No overt act
Recall that an overt act is an act that is done in furtherance of the agreement to commit a crime. This means it is always a defense for an accused to say that he never took an overt act.13
Note, though, that the overt act can be inferred from the defendant’s conduct.14
Withdrawal
A defendant can always say that he withdrew from the conspiracy. This means he can show that he:
- abandoned the agreement to commit a crime, and
- did so before any overt act was taken in furtherance of the agreement.15
Note that withdrawal is not a defense if the defendant aided and abetted the commission of the crime.16
3. Felony vs Misdemeanor
Some conspiracies are charged as felonies. Others are wobbler offenses, meaning they can be charged as either:
- misdemeanors, or
- felonies.
The specific penalties for this crime often depend on the penalties that may be imposed in connection with the underlying offense.17
4. Expunging The Record
A person convicted of conspiracy may be able to get the conviction expunged from his record.
This is provided that the defendant successfully completes:
- his jail or prison term, or
- his probation (whichever was imposed).
If the defendant violates a probation term, he may still be able to get the conviction expunged. But, it will be up to the judge’s discretion.18
5. Effect on Gun Rights
A conviction under this statute may have an effect on a person’s gun rights.
A conspiracy conviction is a felony. This means that it may result in a defendant losing his right to:
- own a gun, and
- possess a gun.
Note, though, that a person may be able to get his gun rights restored if he:
- successfully completes probation, and
- does not commit any other crimes.19
6. Related Offenses
There are three crimes related to conspiracy. These are:
- attempt,
- solicitation, and
- accessory.
Attempt
Per Penal Code 664 PC, the crime of attempt is defined as taking a direct step towards committing a crime, but not completing it.20
Note that a defendant can be charged with both conspiracy and attempt if he:
- agrees to commit a crime, and
- takes a direct step towards committing it.21
Solicitation
Per Penal Code 653f PC, the crime of solicitation is defined as asking someone to commit a crime, with the intent that the crime be committed.22
Note that a defendant can be charged with both conspiracy and solicitation if he:
- agrees to commit a crime, and
- asks someone to commit it.23
Accessory
Per Penal Code 32 PC, the crime of accessory is defined as helping someone who has committed a felony, with the intent that he escape punishment.24
Note that a defendant can be charged with both conspiracy and accessory if he:
- agrees to commit a crime, and
- helps someone who has committed it escape punishment.25
7. References
- 1. California Penal Code 182 PC.
- 2. See same.
- 3. See same.
- 4. See same.
- 5. People v. Horn (1974) 12 Cal.3d 290.
- 6. See same.
- 7. California Penal Code 184 PC.
- 8. People v. Superior Court (Hartway) (1977) 19 Cal.3d 338.
- 9. See same.
- 10. See same.
- 11. See same.
- 12. See same.
- 13. See same.
- 14. See same.
- 15. California Penal Code 182 PC.
- 16. See same.
- 17. See same.
- 18. California Penal Code 1203.4 PC.
- 19. California Penal Code 29800 PC.
- 20. California Penal Code 664 PC.
- 21. See same.
- 22. California Penal Code 653f PC.
- 23. See same.
- 24. California Penal Code 32 PC.
- 25. See same.
Aquí, la conducta de ambas partes sería suficiente para acusarlos de conspiración para cometer robo. Esto es cierto incluso si Bill y Ted no tenían un acuerdo escrito u oral formal para cometer el crimen.
Acto manifiesto
Un “acto manifiesto” es un acto que se realiza para ayudar a lograr o avanzar en el crimen acordado. Este acto debe ser realizado:
- después del acuerdo para cometer el crimen (pero antes de que se complete), y
- además de el acuerdo o plan para cometer el crimen.7
El acto manifiesto no tiene que ser criminal en sí mismo. El acto puede ser tan simple como:
- comprar un arma,
- alquilar una habitación o un automóvil, o
- dar una señal a un co-conspirador.
2. Mejores defensas
Un acusado puede plantear una defensa legal para impugnar un cargo de conspiración.
Tres defensas comunes a la sección 182 del Código Penal son:
- no hay acuerdo,
- no hay acto manifiesto, y/o
- retirada.
No hay acuerdo
Una persona no es culpable de conspiración a menos que haya un acuerdo para cometer un delito. Esto significa que siempre es una defensa para el acusado demostrar que no hubo acuerdo.
Ejemplo: Jerome y Nia entran en una tienda de conveniencia. Sin que Jerome lo sepa, Nia saca un arma y decide robar al dependiente. Jerome no puede ser acusado de conspiración porque nunca acordó el robo.
No hay acto manifiesto
Recuerde que alguna de las partes de la conspiración debe cometer un acto manifiesto para que haya un delito. Un plan para cometer un crimen no es suficiente. Por lo tanto, una defensa es que el acusado demuestre que nadie involucrado en el plan tomó alguna medida para promoverlo.
Retirada
Incluso si una persona conspira para cometer un delito, no es culpable si se retira de la conspiración. La persona debe comunicar la retirada antes de que alguien cometa un acto manifiesto.
Ejemplo: Lisa y Marcos acuerdan robar un coche. Ninguno toma ninguna medida para promover este plan. Lisa habla más tarde con Marcos y le dice que quiere salir del trato.
Aquí, Lisa no es culpable de conspiración. Pero sería culpable si, antes de hablar con Marcos, él les comprara guantes de goma para el atraco.
Una condena por este delito puede resultar en una multa sustancial y/o tiempo en la cárcel.
3. Delito grave vs. delito menor
Una persona culpable de conspiración bajo esta ley para cometer un delito grave será castigada con la pena que el delito grave subyacente conlleva. Esto significa que si, por ejemplo, el acusado es declarado culpable de conspiración para cometer violación, enfrentará hasta ocho años de prisión, que es el castigo por violación.
Si es declarado culpable de conspirar para cometer más de un delito grave, el acusado enfrentará sanciones por el delito con la pena más grave.
Una conspiración para cometer un delito menor es un delito mixto. Esto significa que puede ser acusado como delito menor o delito grave.
Una condena por delito menor o delito grave resultará en:
- encarcelamiento, y
- multas sustanciales.
4. Consecuencias migratorias
Una condena por conspiración bajo esta ley puede tener consecuencias migratorias negativas.
La ley de inmigración de Estados Unidos establece que ciertos tipos de condenas penales pueden llevar a:
- la deportación de un no ciudadano, y
- que se le marque como “inadmisible”.
Las categorías de delitos “deportables” o “inadmisibles” incluyen:
Esto significa que si una persona conspira para cometer una de estas categorías de delitos, podría enfrentar consecuencias migratorias negativas.
5. Borrar el registro
Una persona condenada por este delito tiene derecho a un borrado de antecedentes siempre que:
- complete con éxito la libertad condicional, o
- complete un plazo de prisión (lo que corresponda).
Si una parte viola un término de libertad condicional, aún podría obtener el borrado del delito. Sin embargo, esto estaría a discreción del juez.
Según el Código Penal 1203.4, un borrado de antecedentes libera a una persona de prácticamente “todas las penas y discapacidades” derivadas de la condena.9
6. Efecto en los derechos de armas
Una condena bajo esta ley puede tener un efecto negativo en los derechos de armas del acusado.
Según la ley de California, a los delincuentes condenados se les prohíbe adquirir o poseer un arma en California.
(b) If two or more persons conspire to commit any crime against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(c) If two or more persons conspire to commit any offense named in this section, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be punished as follows:
(1) If one or more of the parties engaged in such conspiracy does any act to effect the object thereof, the parties engaged in such conspiracy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(2) If, however, the offense, the commission of which is the object of the conspiracy, is a misdemeanor only, the parties to the conspiracy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(d) If two or more persons conspire to violate section 36, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
(e) If two or more persons conspire to violate any of the other provisions of this chapter, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(f) If two or more persons conspire to commit any offense described in this section and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
(g) If two or more persons conspire to commit any offense described in this section and one or more of the conspirators do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
(h) A conspiracy to commit an offense described in this section is punishable by imprisonment for not more than the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
(i) A conspiracy to commit an offense described in this section is a continuing offense, and each member of the conspiracy may be prosecuted for any such offense in any district in which any overt act was committed in furtherance of the conspiracy.
(j) If the offense which the defendant conspired to commit was an offense which he was unable to commit because of a legal impossibility, he shall be acquitted of that offense.
(k) If the offense which the defendant conspired to commit was an offense which is defined in any act of Congress as a crime against the United States, is a felony under the laws of a State, or is an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year under the laws of a State, except as provided in subsection (b), the defendant shall be punishable as provided in such act.
(l) As used in this section, the term “any act” includes any act committed in the district of a foreign nation in violation of the laws of that nation, or of a State, if the act would have been a violation of the laws of the United States had it been committed within this jurisdiction.
(m) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, no state of mind need be proved with respect to the circumstance—
(1) that the offense be intended to affect interstate or foreign commerce, or
(2) that the offense be committed in the course of employment by or for the United States or any department or agency thereof, or
(3) that the offense be committed on any facility of a maritime or maritime support nature, including but not limited to drilling platforms, storage facilities, and offshore platforms, fixed or floating, erected or maintained for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing, storing, handling, transferring, processing, or transporting by pipeline the natural resources of the United States.
(n) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, it is not a defense that the other conspirators have not been prosecuted or convicted or have been convicted of a different offense or degree of offense or that the defendant has an immunity or other privilege which was not extended to any other party to the conspiracy.
(o) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court may authorize the United States to withhold relevant information from the defendant if the United States certifies to the court that in its judgment the information could result in the compromise of national security or in the disclosure of classified information and that such information is evidence of a conspiracy which has as its object the commission of an offense the punishment for which is not more than 10 years imprisonment.
(p) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, no person who stands trial for a violation of this section may at the same trial also be convicted of a separate conspiracy to commit another offense unless the evidence of that other conspiracy is admissible as proof of a conspiracy under the Federal Rules of Evidence. If the person is so convicted of a conspiracy, the person may be sentenced on the conspiracy only if the person is also sentenced on the other conspiracy.
(q) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court may impose an additional term of supervised release to any sentence of imprisonment imposed under this section.
(r) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order the forfeiture, to the United States, of any property, real or personal, involved in the offense and any property traceable thereto.
(s) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court may order restitution to any victim of such offense.
(t) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order, in addition to any other sentence imposed and irrespective of any provision of State law, that the defendant forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection.
(1) Any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation,
(2) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of the violation, and
(3) In the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source of control over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
(u) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order that the defendant forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection.
(1) Any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation,
(2) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of the violation, and
(3) In the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source of control over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
(v) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order that the defendant forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection.
(1) Any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation,
(2) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of the violation, and
(3) In the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source of control over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
(w) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order that the defendant forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection.
(1) Any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation,
(2) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of the violation, and
(3) In the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source of control over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
(x) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the court shall also order that the defendant forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection.
(1) Any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation,
(2) Any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or facilitate the commission of the violation, and
(3) In the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source
Cuando conspiran para realizar cualquiera de los otros actos descritos en esta sección, serán castigados con prisión en una cárcel del condado por no más de un año, o de acuerdo con la subdivisión (h) de la Sección 1170, o con una multa que no exceda los diez mil dólares ($10,000), o con ambas penas de prisión y multa. Cuando sean condenados por un delito grave por conspirar para cometer robo de identidad, según se define en la Sección 530.5, el tribunal podrá imponer una multa de hasta veinticinco mil dólares ($25,000).
Todos los casos de conspiración pueden ser procesados y juzgados en el tribunal superior de cualquier condado en el que se haya realizado algún acto manifiesto tendiente a efectuar la conspiración.
(b) En un juicio por conspiración, en un caso en el que se requiere un acto manifiesto para constituir el delito, el acusado no puede ser condenado a menos que se alegue expresamente uno o más actos manifiestos en la acusación o información, ni a menos que se pruebe uno de los actos alegados; pero se pueden presentar como prueba otros actos manifiestos no alegados.