Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy Attorney

Are You Looking for the Best Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy Attorney?

If you’re looking for the best Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney, then Paul Saputo and Nick Toufexis want to represent you. The Saputo Toufexis partnership brings the significant experience of our award-winning attorneys, and we strive to maintain our history of success for our Rockwall Criminal Conspiracy defense clients.

All of the Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense attorneys have dedicated their careers to defending clients in criminal courts. We maintain an unwavering dedication to delivering expert representation, and we represent clients who expect this highest level of legal representation.

We’re not just Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy lawyers. We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

In addition to our notable high-profile victories, our history of success also includes inconspicuous representation of numerous high-profile clients. Indeed, many of our biggest wins involved disposing of these cases quietly and out of the sight of the public. As your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney, we don’t just represent you in court. We handle every aspect of your case.

Our experienced team is here to defend your rights and provide the guidance you need. Don’t navigate the criminal justice system alone. Call us today to take the first step toward your peace of mind and a strong Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy defense.

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Contact an Ellis County
Criminal Conspiracy Lawyer

When you are ready to fight your case with us, schedule online or call us at 888-239-9305 to book a free, confidential consultation.

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Choosing The Right Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy Lawyer Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Case Result

Why would you hire a former prosecutor? Surprisingly, some people believe that former prosecutors provide some special advantage. However, many of these attorneys seem to quickly push clients to a plea deal. If you really want someone who will fight for you or your loved one, get an attorney who has dedicated their life to protecting the accused.

At Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense, we are defense lawyers, first and foremost. We stake our reputation on bringing the fight to the state. We have never worked for the government and never will. Learn more about our team, awards, and some of our victories.

How do I get a Criminal Conspiracy charge dropped in Ellis County, Texas?

In order to get a Criminal Conspiracy charge dropped in Ellis County, you must convince the state that they cannot prove at least one of the elements of the offense as it is defined in Penal Code §15.02.^[1] Our lawyers are experts in the Texas law regarding Criminal Conspiracy, and we leverage our legal knowledge to mount successful defenses to government prosecutions.

Thoroughly understanding both the Criminal Conspiracy statute and related case law contributes to effectively defending you in court. As part of our practice, we publish and regularly update a statutory resource guide covering all Texas Penal Code crimes. We analyze the Criminal Conspiracy statute in detail on the Criminal Conspiracy offense page. We also maintain our expertise by keeping up with the latest case law affecting Criminal Conspiracy cases in Ellis County.

One such case is State v. DeLay.

State v. DeLay

In State v. DeLay, decided on April 19, 2006, by the Court of Appeals of Texas, Third District, Austin, the court addressed charges against Thomas Dale DeLay. DeLay faced accusations under Texas’s election laws, specifically conspiring to violate the election code. This case was significant as it dealt with the applicability of conspiracy laws to offenses that occurred prior to the enactment of a specific amendment to the election code. The charges were initially quashed by the District Court of Travis County, prompting the state’s appeal.

The court examined whether the conspiracy statute could be applied to actions taken before the 2003 amendment, which explicitly included a conspiracy offense under the election code. The State argued that conspiring to violate the election code had always been an offense, asserting that the amendment only clarified the law. However, the court held that based on precedent, the penal code’s conspiracy provision did not apply to election code violations occurring before the amendment. This decision underscored the importance of legislative clarity and temporal limitations in criminal statutes.

Ultimately, the court affirmed the district court’s decision to quash the indictments against DeLay, emphasizing the judicial principle that laws apply only prospectively unless explicitly stated otherwise. This ruling highlighted the complexities of legislative interpretation and the importance of clear guidelines for legal accountability in electoral practices. The case was significant in setting a precedent for how and when new legal provisions affect existing statutes, particularly in the realm of electoral law.

What does a Criminal Conspiracy charge really mean?

The general definition of the Texas charge of Criminal Conspiracy, according to the Texas Penal Code, is as follows:

(a) A person commits criminal conspiracy if, with intent that a felony be committed:

(1) he agrees with one or more persons that they or one or more of them engage in conduct that would constitute the offense; and

(2) he or one or more of them performs an overt act in pursuance of the agreement.

What is a Conspiracy Charge?

A criminal conspiracy charge is a type of “inchoate” crime that only requires the state to prove an agreement among two or more individuals to commit a felony. Typically, at least one member of the conspiracy must have performed a concrete action that advances the intended felony.The completion of the underlying felony itself is not a requirement for a conspiracy charge; rather, any action or preparatory step toward the felony suffices. The specific felony underlying a conspiracy charge can vary widely, including offenses such as murder, drug trafficking, or wire fraud.

How is Texas Criminal Conspiracy Law different from the Federal Conspiracy Law?

Texas law defines conspiracy as an agreement between two or more individuals to commit a felony. While this definition aligns with federal law, Texas diverges in its judicial handling of these cases. The state is notably stringent in enforcing conspiracy laws and restricts certain defense strategies. Under Texas law, a defendant may still be held liable for a conspiracy, regardless of various circumstances, including:

• Not all parties being found criminally responsible.
• The actual commission of the crime.
• The acquittal of one or more parties.
• The crime requiring the involvement of more than just one individual (the defendant).

In contrast, these circumstances might provide viable defenses in the federal court system. However, Texas law complicates defense in conspiracy cases by ruling out these scenarios as grounds for defense.

Misdemeanor conspiracy charges are adjudicated within the Texas State Judicial Court System, with sentences typically corresponding to the severity of the intended crime.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Ellis County that Make Criminal Conspiracy Arrests

Peace officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, constable offices, and municipal police departments can make arrests for violations of Criminal Conspiracy in Ellis County. Law enforcement agencies in Ellis County that most typically make Criminal Conspiracy arrests include:

• The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office handles Criminal Conspiracy cases throughout Ellis County, Texas.
• Waxahachie Police Department serves as one of the municipal police departments within Ellis County and plays a significant role in Criminal Conspiracy cases.
• Midlothian Police Department is another key agency in Ellis County responsible for law enforcement and Criminal Conspiracy cases within its jurisdiction.
• Red Oak Police Department serves the community of Red Oak within Ellis County and may handle Criminal Conspiracy cases within its jurisdiction.
• Ennis Police Department is responsible for law enforcement within Ennis and may contribute to Criminal Conspiracy arrests within its jurisdiction.

How do I win a Criminal Conspiracy case in Ellis County?

To beat a Criminal Conspiracy charge in Ellis County, Texas, you must use due process to confront all witnesses and challenge all evidence, which includes disputing reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and all forensic evidence. Winning requires a fight.

Even if you believe you cannot beat the case, as your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney, we will look for every avenue to help you. If you want to plead guilty, we must still fight to protect your rights. We want to ensure that the case does not ruin your life. Sometimes the defense strategy requires us to get the best possible result short of a not guilty verdict.

Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy Attorney Case Defense Strategy

Getting the best result in an Criminal Conspiracy case requires being fully prepared for all hearings and court settings – not just trials. Accordingly, when you hire us as your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney, we prepare early and thoroughly. As soon as we get on a case, the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office knows that we are getting ready for trial. They know that we are going for an outright acquittal.

But the preparation often starts even before the case begins. From the moment that the police initiate an investigation or make an arrest, we have work to do. If you want to win your case, then we must do our own investigation. The state has police and investigators of their own working for them to gather evidence to support their case. We can’t afford to let their evidence stand uncontroverted.

As a client, you will benefit from the investigative resources of the entire law firm. We have a team of dedicated professionals, including paralegals, investigators, and forensic experts. Our attorneys utilize our team’s extensive investigative experience to perform the ground work that makes our cases strong.

Experienced Rockwall Criminal Conspiracy lawyers can raise several defenses to fight a charge for criminal conspiracy that are unique to this type of offense. Attorney Paul Saputo has utilized conspiracy defenses such as:

• Legal Impossibility (the underlying act does not constitute a felony)
• Withdrawal from a Conspiracy (this is a defense to crimes committed in furtherance of the conspiracy, but not the actual conspiracy)
• Lack of Specific Intent to commit the underlying felony

If you have been charged with a criminal conspiracy, it is important to have an experienced Rockwall Criminal Conspiracy defense attorney on your side.

How much does it cost to fight an Ellis County, Texas, Criminal Conspiracy case?

You can expect to pay from $5,000 to $65,000 for Criminal Conspiracy in Ellis County. Fees on these cases vary so widely because the punishment range varies so much. Most attorneys will charge less for misdemeanor-level Criminal Conspiracy cases, while felony-level cases command a higher fee.

Many lawyers will charge a separate trial fee, pre-arrest representation fee or pre-indictment representation fee.

What You Should Do if You Are Falsely Accused of Criminal Conspiracy in Ellis County

Even when falsely accused of Criminal Conspiracy, it’s crucial to treat the charge with the utmost seriousness. You might hope the state would dismiss the charges due to your innocence. But without skilled legal representation, the case may proceed to trial, where a jury will ultimately make the decision.

If the Ellis County District Attorney has charged you with Criminal Conspiracy, or if you are under investigation for the offense by the police, then you should book an appointment or call us as soon as possible to speak with one of our Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorneys.

How can you modify your Ellis County bond conditions after a Criminal Conspiracy arrest?

Start by consulting with your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney. Work closely with your attorney to build a compelling case for the requested modifications.

Your attorney will file either a motion or a writ of habeas corpus requesting a modification of your bond conditions. The motion or writ outlines the specific changes you are seeking and the reasons for the requested modification.

The judge will ultimately decide whether to approve the requested modifications. They will consider factors such as the nature of the charges, your criminal history, the risk to public safety, and other relevant circumstances. Keep in mind that the judge will base the decision on a careful evaluation of the facts and circumstances of your case.

What happens at an Ellis County arraignment?

At your arraignment, an Ellis County judge will hear your plea of not guilty. In Ellis County, you may not have an attorney at your initial arraignment. However, the court will not hear a guilty plea prior to your being represented by counsel. In addition, the court may also set bail and bond conditions if you have not already received them.

If the police have arrested you for Criminal Conspiracy, then Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §17.40 requires Ellis County judges to “impose any reasonable condition of bond related to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense or to the safety of the community” to secure your attendance at trial. If the state alleges that you violated those bond conditions, then the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office can immediately return you to custody. Accordingly, judges have very broad power in determining bail conditions and bond amounts.

What is the most common sentence for Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy charge in Ellis County?

The Texas Penal Code defines the penalty range for Criminal Conspiracy offenses across Texas. The punishment for Conspiracy offenses ranges from a Class A misdemeanor to a second degree felony because the conspiracy punishment is one degree lower than the underlying offense. However, it is important to consider the potential collateral consequences of a Criminal Conspiracy conviction. These collateral consequences are additional penalties not directly outlined in the penal code’s penalty scheme, but nonetheless accompany the conviction. Your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorney should discuss these consequences with you before you decide how to handle your case.

The exact penalty one might face from a Criminal Conspiracy conviction varies greatly, influenced by factors such as you prior criminal record and the offense specifics. You can find details on the penalty range for all Criminal Conspiracy here. For specifics on typical penalties in Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy cases, call us to schedule a consultation or book a consultation online.

What is a drug conspiracy charge?

Texas prosecutors often use criminal conspiracy charges in cases involving drug-related felonies. In Texas, prosecutors often add charges of drug conspiracy to underlying possession or manufacturing or promotion. These charges usually involve plans to produce or distribute illegal substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or ecstasy.Texas prosecutors may bring drug conspiracy charges under either (or both) state or federal law. Texas’s conspiracy laws are modeled after the federal statute, which criminalizes conspiracies to commit any offense against the U.S.Whether the conspiracy is explicitly related to drugs or not, it is crucial to contact a drug conspiracy lawyer immediately to begin developing your defense.

What is federal conspiracy law?

Federal conspiracy law defines a conspiracy in a similar way that Texas does. A federal conspiracy is as an agreement between two or more people to commit felony criminal acts.Federal Conspiracy Law requires federal prosecutors to proved that one person commits an “overact act.” Overt acts must be “in furtherance of the conspiracy” – meaning that they must have been intended to complete the ends of the conspired crime.

What are some examples of federal conspiracy crimes?

Criminal conspiracy offenses can involve any one of the different kinds of illegal conduct in Texas, including drug charges, white-collar crimes, and violent offenses. Because both state and federal conspiracy statutes cover so much conduct, prosecutors file these types of criminal charges quite often.

Prosecutors can charge people with conspiracy even if they did not participate in and underlying offenses at all. Prosecutors frequently file conspiracy charges to try to get witnesses to testify against the person they believe to be the “mastermind” or “ringleader” of a larger criminal enterprise.

Conspiracy to Commit Financial Fraud

Financial fraud schemes represent a typical form of federal conspiracy crime. These cases often entail efforts to deceive a government program, federal bank, or another financial institution.

Falling under the umbrella of white-collar crime, these cases may encompass various schemes driven by financial motives.

Conspiracy to Commit Violent Crimes

Sometimes federal prosecutors charge conspiracy to commit violent felony offenses. Often times these conspiracy cases are pursued by special gang prosecutors. Violent felony-level offenses that may fall within this category include: Murder, Assault, Robbery, and Arson.

Conspiracy to Commit Sex Crimes and Computer Crimes

Prosecutors sometimes charge criminal conspiracies involving sex crimes and certain computer crimes. Both Texas and Federal law prescribe expecially harsh penalties for these offenses. Typical sex crimes prosecuted as conspiracy include Sex Trafficking, Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography, Online Solicitation of a Minor, and Continuous Sexual Abuse.

About Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense

If you want to hire us as your Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy lawyers, then you should probably get to know us!

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense Lawyers

Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis are partners at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC and lead the entire trial team at the firm.

Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts and developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics. After graduating from the elite Duke University School of Law, a nationally recognized top-ten law school, Mr. Saputo started his career at Vinson & Elkins. More about Paul Saputo…

Mr. Toufexis is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law. He has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense, and has been with the firm since law school. Recently named a partner, Nick has achieved exceptional results in and out of court for years. More about Nick…

Awards

Numerous organizations have awarded Mr. Saputo recognition for his outstanding criminal defense work, for example:

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Consistently recognized by D Magazine in “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: White Collar practice area.

Paul Saputo was voted one of the Three Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas

More Awards & Recognition…

Nicholas Toufexis has likewise received many distinctions as well.

• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI practice area.

Victories

The Ellis County Criminal Conspiracy attorneys at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC have obtained hundreds of victories in complex criminal litigation across Texas. Our victories include Not Guilty verdicts by jury acquittals, directed verdicts of Not Guilty, as well as both conditional and unconditional dismissals.

For descriptions and some details about example victories, visit our page on Notable Victories.

Reviews

One example review from a real client:

Nick Troufexis was super. He helped a family member out and was great from beginning to the end. Looking for a dependable, honest straight forward law firm. This is your firm and Nick is the guy. Talking about results, oh he delivered on every spectrum. So if your on the phone with another law firm, hang up and call Saputo Defense NOW!!!

– Real client review posted on the Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC Google Profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §15.02.