Los Angeles Gang Crime Attorney

Defending Clients Accused of Gang Enhancement and Gang-Related Charges

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 1st, second, or 3rd degree 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. At Miranda Rights Law Firm, we offer personalized criminal defense strategies,  legal advice, and representation that you need.

Contact Los Angeles gang crime attorney Douglas Miranda for help beating your gang crime charges today.

What Are California’s Gang Enhancement Laws?

There are two parts of the California Penal Code 186.22 that refer to gangs. The first makes it illegal to participate in a gang and assist in felony conduct with other gang 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

Serious felonies include:

• Certain drug crimes,
• Assault with a deadly weapon by a prison inmate,
• Assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer

Violent Felonies

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
• Any crime that 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
• “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.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Gang-Related Conviction in California?

Enhanced Prison Sentences

The penalties for gang involvement could add a decade to your sentence. 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 who 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.

Parole Eligibility

Gang member affiliation will follow you, even at parole time. 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.

Stigma

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.

Speak With a Knowledgable Attorney Who Understands Your Rights

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.

How Can Our Criminal Defense Lawyer Help My Gang Affiliation Case?

Gang crimes are no laughing matter. 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. 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. Douglas Miranda is the attorney who has a deep understanding of gang-related laws in California.

GET ASSISTANCE FROM A LOS ANGELES GANG CRIME ATTORNEY

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 at 213-255-5838. Se habla español.