Excellent Criminal Defense Attorneys Fight Gang-Related Charges in San Diego

It is well known that Southern California has some of the nation's most dangerous street gang rivalries. Since the late 1980s, when there was a surge of gang-related crimes, the state of California enacted legislation against street terrorism in the STEP Act. Still, gang-related crimes continue to be more common than most realize, and the law resulted in more arrests of people of color and was heavily skewed. Numerous gang-related arrests occur every week in San Diego County alone. Anyone facing these charges should take them seriously and immediately contact a professional criminal defense attorney to fight gang-related charges in San Diego. Excellent attorneys are experts at gathering evidence, listening to details, and developing the most robust defense for clients facing gang-related charges.

Gang-Related Charges of Association

In many cases, the innocent defendant is charged with gang association. The burden of proof is to show that the accused is part of a specific gang. However, since some neighborhoods have higher gang activity, those residing there can be easily caught up in something even if they are not associated with a gang. California is trying to ensure that people not related to a gang are not unfairly charged or identified simply due to where they live and work.

Only an expert in the law understands the subtleties of the gang-related legislature and can interpret the law to ensure any opportunities to help the client are taken advantage of and not missed. The only guarantee of every detail being looked at meticulously is by hiring an experienced and credible defense attorney. Being arrested and charged with a crime can be nerve-wracking, and when distraught defendants try to fight gang-related charges on their own, they often wish they had hired a private attorney.

When association charges are in error, only an expert in the law knows what criteria must be met by the prosecution for a conviction to happen and how to counter evidence. It is important to remember that the burden of proof falls on the prosecution, and a criminal defense attorney will ensure that any gaps in the evidence, processing, and testimonies are exposed. The best criminal defense lawyers never cease working on the client’s behalf and continue to fight for the best possible outcome.

Gang Enhancement Charges

Any crime considered gang-related will include gang enhancement charges, exponentially increasing the severity of sentencing. It does not matter if it is a gang-related misdemeanor or felony. Jail time is inevitable without a criminal defense attorney by your side, relentlessly fighting against the enhancement charges. San Diego courts are cracking down on gang-related charges that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and even if the defendant gets probation, they may still be required to serve time in prison before starting probation.

Violent crimes, like murder, will result in ten years to life in prison if convicted, and therefore it is essential to acquire the best criminal defense attorney to serve by your side from the beginning. Gang-related charges are severe and require help from someone knowledgeable in California penal codes and a lawyer who can come up with the best defenses for each unique case.

Southern California Law is Complex

The Southern California legal system is complicated, and no matter how insignificant a crime may seem, it is priceless to have peace of mind for the accused, their families, and loved ones.

There is a database of those suspected of gang relations, and one can end up on this registry even if they have not been charged with a gang-related crime. Unfortunately, being on the database can make finding employment and housing extremely difficult. Inclusion in this database may also give law enforcement enough reason to pull someone over while driving. An experienced criminal defense attorney can find out if someone is included in the database and fight to have the name removed if wrongly added. Most people do not even realize their name is on it, which may cause unnecessary attention from the police.

Anytime an arrest is made, and someone faces criminal charges, they should seek professional legal counsel without hesitation. The most esteemed criminal defense firms offer free consultations and communicate clearly with clients throughout the process. Firms in San Diego, like The Law Offices of Joni Eisenstein, have helped countless people get reduced or dismissed charges, as well as manageable consequences and plea bargains.

If a conviction happens, regardless of the crime, having an experienced defense lawyer will have a more favorable outcome. The most reputable criminal defense firms immediately begin fighting for client's rights and freedoms. In San Diego, being well-respected by other attorneys, courts, and judges goes a long way, and no defense lawyer is more respected than Joni Eisenstein, who brings extensive experience to clients since 2003 in Oceanside, Vista, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, and Escondido.