Maryland conspiracy investigations are often incredibly complex, and may result in a variety of severe penalties if they lead to a conviction. The act of conspiracy has many consequences that should only be handled by an experienced federal conspiracy attorney in Maryland. The right attorney will build a strong defense to help minimize any potential ramifications from a conspiracy charge.
Initial Procedures
Since conspiracy in Maryland is a crime that deals with somebody’s state of mind or intent, there almost always has to be some type of dialogue to properly investigate the claim. For example, a conversation can be recorded and processed through the use of wire taps, recorded phone conversations, text messages, e-mails, and online media like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Oftentimes, those types of communications can be used to show an agreement and to show that there was an attempt to carry an act out.
Various types of law enforcement agencies can be involved in a Maryland conspiracy investigation depending on the nature of the offense. If an individual is dealing with large amounts of narcotics, they will usually talk with the federal police, investigators or prosecutors. Even local law enforcement could be involved in investigating a conspiracy case because they have access to the same type of surveillance materials that other law enforcement agencies have. Depending on the nature of the offense or what the offense entails, various individuals could be involved in the case, as well as multiple police departments and agencies.
Specific Investigation Tactics
There are various tactics and procedures that are unique to Maryland conspiracy investigations. For one, there is a lot more surveillance involved. A lot of charges have undercover operatives that are effective because of increased surveillance. Another reason why conspiracy charges are prosecuted so severely is because the prosecution does not want to let an individual get away with a crime, specifically if they can be charged.
Otherwise, the state runs into a situation where an individual who conspired to kill somebody, and upon being arrested, claims that they never carried through with the act so they cannot be prosecuted for it. Law enforcement officers want to be able to stop the act before it occurs, which is why Maryland conspiracy charges are prosecuted separately from the crime that was intended to be committed, and with such serious sanctions.
Gathering Information
When the prosecution is building a case to prepare for trial and the ability to prosecute, they will need evidence. That entails both the act itself, and being caught carrying out the act. The prosecution will need to have as much video and photographic evidence as they can, as well as physical evidence such as messages, communications, or recordings, because it is normally all the evidence available to try to prosecute and prove the case. In Maryland conspiracy investigations, since the act itself may not have ever been committed, an individual will not have all the concrete evidence they normally do in other cases. That is why the case must be completely relient on other physical, photographic, or recording device evidence.
Law enforcement will talk to anyone that they believe may have any evidence on the case, unless perhaps if the person in question is either involved or the alleged victim. Generally, however, law enforcement will talk to anyone who can be helpful to the case.
