{"id":414658,"date":"2026-11-04T09:46:05","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T14:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=414658"},"modified":"2026-11-04T09:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T14:40:29","slug":"federal-drug-conspiracy-charges","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/federal-drug-conspiracy-charges.html","title":{"rendered":"Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            November 04, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li>A <span data-term-id=\"60035338\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span> is an agreement between two or more people to violate <span data-term-id=\"60035352\">federal drug laws<\/span><\/li>\n<li>To be convicted, the prosecution must prove you knew about the conspiracy and voluntarily joined it; proof of an <span data-term-id=\"60035347\">overt act<\/span> is not required at the federal level<\/li>\n<li>All members of the conspiracy are considered equally liable, regardless of their specific role<\/li>\n<li>Penalties for a drug conspiracy are the same as the penalties for the underlying drug offense, which often include mandatory minimum <span data-term-id=\"60035366\">prison sentences<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Federal charges are handled in <span data-term-id=\"60035344\">federal court<\/span> with <span data-term-id=\"60035357\">federal prosecutors<\/span>, involving different rules and harsher sentences than state charges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"fl-rich-text\">\n<p>Depending on the details, drug offenses can be charged at either the state or federal levels (or both). A <span data-term-id=\"60035338\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span> is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime violating the U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/controlled-substances-act-csa-overview.html\"><span data-term-id=\"60035372\">Controlled Substances<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035372\"> Act<\/span><\/a>. This could include anything from drug manufacturing to possession with intent to distribute.<\/p>\n<p>This article explains the elements of this offense, describes who can be held liable, and discusses the potential penalties. It also examines the key differences between state and federal charges. If you\u2019re facing <span data-term-id=\"60035343\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> charges<\/span>, consider contacting a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/drug-crime\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"60035341\">criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>. Penalties for\u00a0<span data-term-id=\"60035359\">federal <\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035342\">drug crimes<\/span>\u00a0are severe, and a skilled lawyer\u00a0can make a big difference.<\/p>\n<h2>Elements of a <span data-term-id=\"60035343\">Federal Drug Conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> Charge<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To convict you of\u00a0<span data-term-id=\"60035343\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> charges<\/span>, the government must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. The goal of the conspiracy must be to commit a crime defined under <span data-term-id=\"60035352\">federal drug laws<\/span>, such as those in<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/us\/title-21-food-and-drugs\/21-usc-sect-841\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span data-term-id=\"60035369\">21 U.S.C. \u00a7 841<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The elements of a <span data-term-id=\"60035343\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> charge<\/span> are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There is a conspiracy (agreement) to violate the &#8220;<span data-term-id=\"60035372\">Controlled Substances<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035372\"> Act<\/span>&#8220;<\/li>\n<li>You had knowledge of that conspiracy<\/li>\n<li>You were a voluntary participant in the conspiracy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Federal law doesn\u2019t require that a defendant commit an <span data-term-id=\"60035347\">overt act<\/span> to be guilty of conspiracy. It\u2019s enough that you knew about the conspiracy and participated in it voluntarily.<\/p>\n<p>In proving its case, the government can rely on a variety of types of evidence, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Witness statements<\/li>\n<li>Statements made by <span data-term-id=\"60035379\">confidential informants<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-term-id=\"60035365\">Circumstantial evidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Direct evidence<\/li>\n<li><span data-term-id=\"60035356\">Wiretap<\/span> evidence<\/li>\n<li><span data-term-id=\"60035368\">Text messages<\/span>, phone call records, emails, and other communications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your <span data-term-id=\"60035370\">federal <\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035341\">criminal defense attorney<\/span>&#8216;s job is to poke holes in the state&#8217;s case and challenge this evidence. If they do so successfully, you may be able to avoid a criminal conviction.<\/p>\n<h2>Which Members of a <span data-term-id=\"60035360\">Federal Drug Conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035360\"> Case<\/span> Are Criminally Liable?<\/h2>\n<p>In a <span data-term-id=\"60035360\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035360\"> case<\/span>, the law treats every member as equally responsible for the crime&#8217;s foreseeable outcomes. Your specific role in the conspiracy doesn&#8217;t matter. You\u2019re considered to be as criminally liable as every other <span data-term-id=\"60035349\">co-conspirator<\/span>. This means that the person who actually sold the <span data-term-id=\"60035351\">illegal drugs<\/span> on the street is just as liable as the person who cultivated, transported, or manufactured the drug.<\/p>\n<p>This may not seem fair, especially if you believe you played a minor role in the drug conspiracy. For lawmakers and the courts, this doesn&#8217;t matter.<\/p>\n<h2>Penalties for a <span data-term-id=\"60035338\">Federal Drug Conspiracy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/us\/title-21-food-and-drugs\/21-usc-sect-846\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"60035346\">21 U.S.C. \u00a7 846<\/span><\/a>, a person is guilty of a drug conspiracy when they agree to commit a crime under the federal <span data-term-id=\"60035372\">Controlled Substances<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035372\"> Act<\/span>. If a person is found guilty of an offense under this statute, they face the same penalties they&#8217;d have faced had they committed the underlying crime.<\/p>\n<p>This means that a person involved in a <span data-term-id=\"60035338\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span> to traffic <span data-term-id=\"60035339\">cocaine<\/span> would be subject to the same <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/mandatory-sentences-uniformity-and-consistency.html\"><span data-term-id=\"60035345\">mandatory minimum sentences<\/span><\/a>\u200b dictated by the law. If the defendant possessed more than 28 grams of <span data-term-id=\"60035374\">crack <\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035339\">cocaine<\/span> (with intent to distribute), they would be guilty of <span data-term-id=\"60035350\">conspiracy to distribute<\/span>. They would therefore face a mandatory minimum <span data-term-id=\"60035366\">prison sentence<\/span> of five years and a maximum of 40 years, regardless of whether the supply was intended for personal use only.<\/p>\n<h2>Federal vs. State Drug Conspiracy Charges<\/h2>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"60035343\">Federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> charges<\/span> differ from those under state law. Some of the major differences between a state and <span data-term-id=\"60035360\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035360\"> case<\/span> include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The case will be tried in <span data-term-id=\"60035344\">federal court<\/span>, not state court<\/li>\n<li>A <span data-term-id=\"60035357\">federal prosecutor<\/span> will handle the case rather than a District Attorney or County Prosecutor<\/li>\n<li>The case will be evaluated under <span data-term-id=\"60035352\">federal drug laws<\/span> and <span data-term-id=\"60035362\">conspiracy laws<\/span>, not state drug laws<\/li>\n<li>Federal drug cases often involve interstate or international <span data-term-id=\"60035342\">drug crimes<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Federal cases typically involve a larger quantity of <span data-term-id=\"60035351\">illegal drugs<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The judge in a <span data-term-id=\"60035360\">federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035360\"> case<\/span> must follow the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/federal-sentencing-guidelines-explained.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span data-term-id=\"60035354\">federal sentencing guidelines<\/span><\/a>\u200b<\/li>\n<li>The prosecutor represents the <span data-term-id=\"60035373\">federal government<\/span>, not the state government<\/li>\n<li>The judge will sentence the defendant to a <span data-term-id=\"60035376\">federal prison<\/span>, not a local, county, parish, or state prison<\/li>\n<li><span data-term-id=\"60035360\">Federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035360\"> cases<\/span> usually involve more complex networks of <span data-term-id=\"60035349\">co-conspirators<\/span> than state cases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a federal case, the prosecutor doesn&#8217;t have to prove you committed an <span data-term-id=\"60035347\">overt act<\/span>. In many states, the judge or jury can\u2019t find you guilty unless they can prove that you committed the specified offenses.<\/p>\n<h2>Seek Legal Advice From a <span data-term-id=\"60035359\">Federal <\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035342\">Drug Crime<\/span> Attorney<\/h2>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"60035343\">Federal drug conspiracy<\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035343\"> charges<\/span> are serious offenses that can cast a shadow on your future. You\u2019ll need an effective <span data-term-id=\"60035364\">defense strategy<\/span>, such as challenging the <span data-term-id=\"60035363\">quantity of drugs<\/span> in your possession at the time of your arrest. An experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"60035359\">federal <\/span><span data-term-id=\"60035342\">drug crimes<\/span> lawyer<\/a>\u200b can provide invaluable expertise. They\u2019ll examine the details of your case, explain your options, and help you achieve the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-question\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-yes-button\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                  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1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-choose-option-message\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-positive-feedback-title\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-positive-feedback-input-understandable\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-positive-feedback-input-solved-problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-positive-feedback-input-other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-feedback-title\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-choose-option-message\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-feedback-input-missing-info\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-feedback-input-complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-feedback-input-dated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                                data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-negative-feedback-input-other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                    data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-submit-button\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                    data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-cancel-button\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-thank-you-icon\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-testid=\"was-this-helpful-thank-you-text\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium 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