EQUAL JUSTICE
    Self - Advocacy Workbook

Introduction

Chapter 1
Advocacy, Preparations & Strategies
1-1 Introduction
1-2 Police Contact
1-3 Arrest
1-4 Arraignment
1-5 PreTrial    
1-6 Trial
1 QUIZ
1 ANSWERS

Chapter 2
Prevention
2-1 Aiding & Abetting
2-2 Conspiracy
2-3 Delivery of Controlled Substance

 

                     

 

CHAPTER TWO
PREVENTION

2. CONSPIRACY

Conspiracy is helping someone plan to commit a crime.

       The most important thing about conspiracy is the unlawful agreement (plan).  It must be shown that the people who made the unlawful agreement (plan) intended to further, promote, or cooperate in an unlawful enterprise.  An agreement may be proven from the surrounding circumstances including the acts and conduct of the parties involved.5 This means that even if YOU did not participate but merely were in a room with people who were discussing committing a crime YOU may be accused of committing conspiracy.

Once a conspiracy is shown, YOU may be responsible for any actions the other person takes while completing the crime, even if YOU do not participate in committing the crime.

It is not a defense to the crime of conspiracy for YOU to say that YOU did not participate in the crime or that YOU changed your mind about helping the other people with the crime.

Once YOU have made the agreement,
a crime has been committed
and YOU may get ARRESTED.

If your friend starts talking to YOU
about committing a crime,
YOU should say, "I cannot help you"
and quickly walk away.

Written by: Melissa King, Attorney-at-Law,  King Law Offices; Karen Wolf-Branigin, Wayne State University, Developmental Disabilities Institute; Rachel Pinsky Law Graduate, Wayne State University; Robert Lasker, Belinda Land, Vendalia Collins, Cheryle Trommater, Marsha Katz,
The project staff extend our sincere appreciation to the over 50 people who generously donated their time, support and expertise to the Equal Justice initiative.  Though we cannot thank everyone individually, we particularly acknowledge the following groups and individuals.
The Curriculum Design Board who identified competencies, reviewed materials and curriculum drafts: Jeanice Dagher-Margosian, Michelle James-Mann, Florence Kozak, Gary Margosian, Mark Ptaszek, Penny Ryder, Donna Sabourin, Jim Soden, Bob Stein, Ted Wybrecht
The field test participants and field site coordinators who attended the training in the very earliest stages: Sarah Irvine. People First of Oakland Count
First Edition Spring 1998 -- Equal Justice is a collaborative partnership between Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy and Wayne State University Developmental Disabilities Institute.  This material was developed and disseminated with funding from the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council Grant 96620