Los Angeles Gang Crime Attorney

To combat gang violence, California has enacted laws that strictly punish gang activities. Any person who participates in a street gang, knowing that its members engage in criminal activity and who also assists or promotes further criminal activity, may be found guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony. If a person is convicted of committing a felony for the benefit of a gang, enhancements are added to the sentence for the original crime; the enhancement penalty can be up to an additional ten years in prison for violent crimes like murder and armed robbery. If you are accused of any gang-related crime in the Los Angeles area, you need a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney with extensive experience with this type of charge. Prosecutors and law enforcement frequently work together to build a strong case against suspected gang members and others who are accused of involvement in gang activity in Southern California.

Call the Miranda Rights Law Firm in Los Angeles for the legal advice and representation that you need. Los Angeles gang crime attorney Douglas Miranda has the experience, skills, and dedication to bring your case to the best possible resolution.

GANG ENHANCEMENTS

There are two parts of the law that refer to gangs. The first makes it illegal to participate in a gang and assist in felony conduct with other band members. If you are convicted of this crime, you may face up to three years in state prison.

The second part of the law says anyone who commits a felony for the benefit of a gang should receive a mandatory prison sentence on top of the penalty he or she is already sentenced to because of the felony. It’s important to note that you do not need to be an active member of the gang at the time that the crime was committed, as long as you were committing the felony for the benefit of the band.

Usually, you will receive an additional prison term of up to four years if you are found to have committed a felony for the benefit of a gang. However, if the felony is considered a “serious felony” then the sentence increases to five additional years. Serious felonies include certain drug crimes, assault with a deadly weapon by a prison inmate, and assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, to name a few.

If the felony that you committed for the benefit of a gang was considered a “violent felony,” then you may face an additional ten years in prison. Violent felonies include murder, sex crimes and any crime which inflicts great bodily injury on the victim.

There are also specific felonies that will increase your sentence even further. These felonies include home invasion robbery, carjacking, shooting a firearm at an inhabited dwelling or car, and “drive-by” shootings. If any of these crimes were the felony you committed for the benefit of a band, you may face an additional 15 years to life in state prison.

Gang crimes are no laughing matter. If you or a loved one has been charged with a gang crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles gang crime attorney as soon as possible.

FALSE CHARGES OF GANG AFFILIATION IN LOS ANGELES

In California, crimes that are considered to be gang related will typically get a stiffer penalty, particularly in areas such as Los Angeles County, where gang activity tends to be more commonplace. For anyone that gets caught up in the criminal justice system, this can be a huge problem just being associated with band members. You may find yourself in a situation that has spiraled out of control. Your only hope is an experienced and aggressive Los Angeles gang crime attorney.

Additional or more serious charges are sometimes not warranted but they are added because there was a lack of legal representation or simply not enough experience in the field. There is no telling how many years this could add to a person’s sentence by not hiring the right lawyer.

Being guilty of a crime and being labeled a gang member are two different things entirely. This is your future at stake and you need to explain what happened in a way that the courts will listen. That takes experience and preparation. You need to know what your options are. The penalties for gang involvement could add a decade to your sentence.

Gang member affiliation will follow you, even at parole time. Gangs are plentiful in the Los Angeles area and the process of trying to prove your innocence is very complicated. You need a Los Angeles gang crime attorney that has experience in gang-related crimes and knows how to effectively plea bargain. Someone needs to lead the way and help you take care of this criminal justice system mess that has been created.

You have rights but they are worthless if you don’t know what they are or how to pursue them. Don’t go down without a fight, this is your life on the line. Maybe you made a mistake and maybe it was pretty bad, but that shouldn’t make you a coat rack for other crimes that you are innocent of.

AN ATTORNEY WITH UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIENCE

The severity of punishments for gang-related crimes depends on a number of circumstances; prior convictions, committing a crime in the vicinity of a school, or committing a crime that involves minors can mean a longer sentence. Anti-gang laws also impact parole eligibility. Provided that a crime was gang-related and committed to assist or promote a gang, California courts have ruled that a felony sentence may be enhanced under gang laws even if a suspect acted alone. The law is complicated, so it’s crucial to work with a Los Angeles gang crime attorney who understands it and has experience defending those accused of gang-related crimes. Douglas Miranda is that attorney.

GET THE HELP YOU NEED NOW

If you’ve been accused of any gang-related crime, put an experienced Los Angeles gang crime attorney to work for you. After looking over your case, Douglas Miranda will explain your legal options and work to develop the most effective possible defense. At the Miranda Rights Law Firm, we take our responsibility to our clients seriously, and we put our experience to work for you. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact us today. Send an email, or call 213-293-1207. Se habla español.