Gang Crimes: Terroristic Threats, Drugs, Weapons, and Assault

The term 'gang crime' is not new, but the method by which gang members are being charged is. The problem is that the new Criminal Street Gang laws are too broad, often sweeping up individuals who are not gang members, but rather are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The constitution protects us all against persecution based on associations, however, a new breed of Quasi Civil/Criminal laws enables the government to sidestep that freedom, prosecuting and punishing individuals not only for the underlying crime, such as assault or theft, but also charging the person with a gang offense, claiming the underlying conduct (such as drug sales or drug possession) was acted upon for the benefit of or at the direction of a criminal street gang.

Civil injunctions against certain criminal street gangs, prohibiting illegal crime groups from access to certain parts of the city/county, and from partaking in a varaiety of acts, both legal and illegal, help to sure up the new laws.

Gang crimes can include any criminal activity now illegal, including gang weapons charges, assault and battery, gang fights, gang tagging and vandalism, auto theft, drug possession, drug sales for the benefit.

 

 

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between probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt)? Click for more information.

DRUG
OFFENSES