What to Expect in a Drug Conspiracy Charge

 Posted on October 07, 2025 in Drug Crimes

If you are accused of a drug conspiracy offense, you could be at risk of serious penalties ranging from thousands of dollars in fines to years in prison. As such, it is important that you prepare a strong defense before your court date. A Knox County, TN criminal defense lawyer can help you strategize around a drug conspiracy charge and protect your rights.

At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we have successfully defended many clients accused of serious felony crimes, including various drug offenses. When you work with our firm, your case will be handled by an aggressive, dedicated lawyer who cares about your case.

What Is a Drug Conspiracy?

In criminal law, a "conspiracy" refers to an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime. For example, if two people are accused of making plans to kill another person together, they could both be charged with conspiracy to murder. There are two essential elements of a conspiracy charge. One, the accused parties made an agreement to commit a crime. Two, they committed one overt act to further that crime. 

"Drug conspiracy" can refer to any number of drug-related offenses, like manufacturing, distributing, or possession with intent to distribute. These crimes can be charged at the federal level and carry strict punishments, so seeking an experienced criminal defense lawyer is critical.

What Are the Penalties for a Drug Conspiracy Charge?

The penalties for a drug conspiracy charge can vary dramatically depending on the exact offense. You should know that conspiring to commit a drug offense, even if you do not succeed or go through with it, will still result in the same penalties as if you had committed the offense (21 USC 846).

The sentencing guidelines for a drug conspiracy charge depend on the type and quantity of drug. For example, distributing five grams or more of meth is punishable by five to 40 years in prison. Distributing 280 grams or more of crack is punishable by a minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of life in prison.

How Can I Fight a Drug Conspiracy Charge?

As previously mentioned, the essential elements of a conspiracy charge include an agreement to commit a crime and one act to further that crime. The prosecutor must show that both elements are true "beyond a reasonable doubt" to secure a conviction for a conspiracy charge. A criminal defense attorney might argue to have the charge dropped if there is not enough solid evidence to show that you engaged in a conspiracy.

An attorney could also look at the events leading up to your arrest to see if your rights were violated. The Fourth Amendment protects you from illegal search and seizure, which could prove relevant to your case if the evidence against you was secured without a warrant or probable cause.

Contact a Knox County, TN Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested for conspiracy to commit a drug crime, do not wait to seek legal representation. At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we can work with you to pursue the best possible outcome to your case. To schedule a free initial consultation with a Blount County, TN drug crime defense attorney, call our offices at 865-281-1000 today.