Missouri prosecutors and police officers have always sought means to aggressively enforce drug prohibition laws. Even as social attitudes about drug abuse have changed, the laws in Missouri remain strict. In fact, enforcement has even intensified in some areas.
Many families across Missouri have felt the sting of opiate, opioid and heroin addiction in recent years. The proliferation of synthetic opioids has damaged countless families and pushed people into chemical dependence. Some of them turn to crime, and others may even die.
Prosecutors and police officers have tried to fight back against addiction and drug use by penalizing individuals as harshly as possible. In recent years, their attempts to do so often involve allegations of criminal conspiracy. If the state wants to charge you with something more serious than possession, they may try to implicate you in a broader drug-based conspiracy.
What is a conspiracy?
A prosecutor can make just about any sort of plan seem like a conspiracy with the right evidence. Federal law describes conspiracy as a plan between two or more people with the intent to defraud the United States government. Intentionally violating drug laws would be a possible conspiracy.
Not only do the people involved need to agree to violate the law, but they will need to take steps to make those plans a reality. Behaviors that contribute to drug conspiracy allegations include transporting drugs, obtaining materials to package or dilute drugs and even distributing the drugs to individuals.
When the state does not have conclusive proof of someone’s involvement in a conspiracy, they may reach for evidence, using social media posts and text message records to imply that there was something more nefarious going on than a simple social relationship with other drug users or a supplier.
Don’t let serious charges intimidate you
One of the reasons that prosecutors bring more serious charges, like conspiracy charges, against individuals is that the possible penalties are so severe that defendants feel like they must plead guilty.
When you understand the tactics used in criminal proceedings, you may feel more inclined to fight back. More serious charges will mean a greater burden of proof for the prosecutor. Establishing a reasonable doubt about your involvement in a conspiracy may require some planning, but could potentially help you defeat your pending drug charges.