What happens to people who get hit with a conspiracy charge?

What makes a conspiracy charge so brutal in the eyes of the law?
Why do criminals fear it so much?

my uncle got charged with conspiracy and is serving 10 years in jail…he almost had to serve 20

please take a look at mine…

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnVON_6YVGi0rC16A6yEPoDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080922162019AAzG076

…..thanks!!!