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30 Dec 2022

If you are a fan of watching TV soap operas, you will have at some time heard the phrase ‘conspiracy to murder’. And it seems to be pretty self-explanatory, doesn’t it? You have conspired to murder someone else and are, therefore, guilty.

However, it isn’t exactly as straightforward as it seems.

At ABV Solicitors, our criminal solicitor has extensive experience in defending groups and individuals who are arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder offences. So, if you find yourself on the receiving end of this accusation, be sure to contact our team as soon as you can so we can begin building your case.

So, what exactly is a conspiracy to murder, what is the sentencing that surrounds it, and why are you less likely to be treated leniently in the UK courts system if you are accused of it? Our criminal solicitor explains below.

What is a conspiracy to murder?

To be found guilty of conspiracy to murder, it must be deemed that you agreed with another person or group that the murder would take place, as well as all the details that go along with this. So, according to our criminal solicitor, if you arranged for person A to murder person B, then you are likely to be found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

It seems straightforward, but there are some instances where people have been found not guilty of conspiracy to murder based on their lack of information relating to how person A would actually murder person B. So, for example, if during a rage, you mentioned that you wished person A was dead, and then they were murdered, this would not be a case of conspiring to murder unless you told someone where person A lived when you wanted them killed and how to do it.

Thus, conspiracy to murder cannot sound like a vague idea that was later interpreted as a plan to murder someone. You should also note that in order to be charged and given a sentence of conspiracy to murder, no murder will have needed to have occurred.

Organised crime

There has been a lot of pressure put on the courts in the UK to be less lenient on cases relating to conspiracy to murder, especially as this is linked heavily to gangs and organised crime.

So, if you have found that you are going to be accused of this criminal activity or are concerned that it is likely, you should call our team at ABV Solicitors as soon as possible to receive our expert advice relating to your case.

Sentencing

Conspiracy to murder is very serious, and being found guilty of it can lead to a life sentence or one that involves lifelong consequences.

There are some instances in which there may be leniency; if you are under the age of 18 and there is evidence of coercion by other people in a group or gang, then our team may be able to put in a different plea. Similarly, if you were intoxicated at the time of the planning and carrying out of the murder or if you were suffering from a mental illness, these are other areas where leniency may be applied to this offence.