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California has some of the strictest penalties for gang-related offenses. The state actively seeks to severely punish persons associated with gangs or found guilty of gang-related crimes. If you are in Riverside and are charged with a gang-related offense, you must get an experienced Riverside gang charges lawyer as soon as possible.
Since the enactment of the California Street Gang Enhancement Law (also known as the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, or STEP), the state has been punishing felonies and misdemeanors and gang association crimes more harshly than any other similar non-gang-related crimes. Getting the right gang charges attorney could make the difference between you walking free or getting the harshest possible sentence under the penal code.
Getting arrested for a gang-related offense can be a terrifying experience. Regardless of how friendly or intimidating the officers are, you must stay calm and say nothing that may implicate you until you talk to a Riverside gang charges lawyer. Similarly to all criminal matters, large or small, a calm detail centered approach along with your attorney will help you understand why you were arrested and, most importantly, the next step to take.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
We are extremely grateful for all your hard work and dedication to helping our daughter. Our daughter’s life was in your hands and you fought for her. I appreciate you answering all my calls and constant long emails, for keeping our family and deployed daughter in Japan updated with the Court process. We are currently seeing a huge positive turnaround in our daughter. Thank you again from this Military Family. God bless and much success always.
This law firm goes above and beyond for their customers. The professionalism that comes from their office is elite. They respond in a great timely manner, you literally don't have to wait for any questions you might have. Not only do they provide you with a number you can call but they also have a number to text, which is not often something you come across. Hands down this law group is tremendous! If you are in need of someone to represent you in court I highly recommend going with them.
Well worth the 5 Five Stars. Extremely grateful for all your hard work. Alex has excellent customer service from himself and his office. Very knowledgeable, supportive just 100% the BEST ATTORNEY. No beating around the bush with Alex — straight the point. I would 100% Recommend and Use his service in the future.
From the beginning of my case to its resolution Alejandro did an outstanding job defending me. He worked hard to discover evidence of my innocence and was able to get the case dismissed. If your looking for an honest, dedicated, and knowledgeable attorney, look no further. Communicated well and treated me as human rather than a case.
This law firm goes above and beyond for their customers. The professionalism that comes from their office is elite. They respond in a great timely manner, you literally don't have to wait for any questions you might have. Not only do they provide you with a number you can call but they also have a number to text, which is not often something you come across. Hands down this law group is tremendous! If you are in need of someone to represent you in court I highly recommend going with them.
The California Penal Code 186.22 PC, or the STEP Act, was purposefully adopted to impose harsh punishments on gang members, gang activity, and gang-related crimes.
The penal code defines a gang as an ongoing group of three or more people with a common name or an identifying symbol whose primary activities involve committing crimes. The police often prove the existence of a gang by identifying a pattern of criminal activities the said gang is suspected of committing.
To prove gang crimes, the prosecution is required to establish:
Under the gang enhancement law, defendants accused of a crime that meets certain conditions or are judged to be a part of a specific gang may receive ‘enhanced’ sanctions. This means that you may receive a profoundly long custodial sentence under the law for gang affiliation if you are found guilty.
Ideally, a gang-related criminal charge is best addressed by a Riverside gang charges attorney from the beginning. This means that you need a qualified and experienced gang charges lawyer by your side as soon as you are arrested.
It is crucial that you invest your efforts in finding the right lawyer who knows their way around gang charges and dealing with Riverside police and prosecutors.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
There are two sections in Penal Code 186.22 PC. The first, Penal Code 186.22a, criminalizes affiliation with a street gang and participation in its associated criminal activities. The second, Penal Code 186.22b, allows the judge to give the defendant an enhanced sentence for committing felonies deemed to be for the benefit of the gang.
Participation in a gang crime under Penal Code 186.22a is a wobbler offense. This means that it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
A felony charge carries a custodial sentence of up to three years in prison. If you are found guilty of a felony gang crime, the gang enhancement law adds a two, three, or four-year prison term in addition to the punishment of the crime itself. Thus, you could be sentenced to three years for the crime and an additional three years under the enhancement, totaling six years in prison.
Serious felony gang crime charges can add a custodial sentence enhancement of up to five years in addition to the sentence for the initial crime. Violent felony gang crime charges can add an enhancement of up to 10 years to your sentence.
If you are convicted of certain specific gang-related crimes, Penal Code 186.22b allows for enhancements of 7-15 years to life. These enhancements are applicable to:
Every individual charged with involvement in gang activities deserves due process rights as provided by the U.S. Constitution. The police have no right to place a suspected gang member on a gang list before giving them the opportunity to defend themselves.
If you are arrested on suspicion of being a member of a street gang, your first course of action should be to find a knowledgeable and experienced gang charges lawyer near you to protect your rights.
A skilled attorney will also fight to disassociate you from the street gang you may not be part of and prevent the prosecution from levying gang enhancement.
The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.
You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.
The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.
The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.
In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.
Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.
The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.
At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.
Jail or Prison Time
Substantial Fines
Lengthy Probation
License Suspension
Mandatory Education
Speak to an attorney as soon as possible. You may not only be facing a lengthy jail or prison sentence but due to gang enhancements, several years could be tacked onto your initial sentence.
Being a gang member and participating in gang-related criminal activities in California carries severe punishments. Misdemeanors charged under Penal Code 186.22a carry a sentence of up to a year in county jail with a minimum sentence of six months. Meanwhile, felonies charged under Penal Code 186.22a and Penal Code 186.22b carry a sentence of 16 months to life in prison, depending on the severity of the crime and whether any enhancements were applicable.
Gang-related crimes include, but are not limited to:
The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?
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