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Los Angeles Juvenile Gang Crime Defense Lawyers 
Los Angeles Juvenile Gang Crimes
It doesn't take much for a troubled teen to fall into the wrong crowd. Street gang activity is a serious problem in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. So, prosecutors typically come down hard on all gang- related crimes. Additionally, juries typically have an inherent bias against anyone believed to be in a gang. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone facing a gang crime in Southern California to contact the law offices Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP to ensure their legal rights are preserved.
Enhanced Penalties
The penalties juveniles face in Los Angeles for a crime may be enhanced when a gang is involved. For example, a typical shoplifting charge may result in probation, but a gang-related shoplifting charge might result in incarceration. A skilled juvenile crime defense attorney will work to have the gang-related charges dropped and the criminal charges to be lessened or thrown out. There are far too many cases of young criminal offenders being charged for gang-related crimes when they aren't actually in a gang. Having the right defense attorney can make all the difference.
Wrongfully Charged with Being in a Gang
California has enhanced gang laws that increase the penalties enforced upon a criminal offender if he or she is believed to be in a gang. The law is vague in its description of what constitutes a street gang. So, many people are charged with gang-related activity simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Juveniles charged with a crime may face inappropriate gang-related charges if they wear the wrong color clothes, if they are a minority, if they have friends who may be in a gang or even because of their appearance such as having a shaved head. Accepting these charges may forever label an offender as a member of a gang and that stigma can be difficult to erase.
Gang-Related Crimes
There are many crimes that may be charged as gang-related if police suspect the offender is in a gang.
- Drug Charges: All Los Angeles juvenile drug charges may carry increased penalties if a gang is involved. Possible drug charges include possession, "intent to sell," cultivation and drug trafficking.
- Assault and domestic violence: Gang violence is a serious problem in many Southern California communities. Any time a gang is suspected of being involved in an attack, prosecutors may crack down harder on the juvenile involved.
- Theft offenses: Crimes ranging from intent to steal to petty or grand theft are all prosecuted differently when the young offender charged with the crime is suspected of being in a gang. Theft crimes that are gang-related may result in incarceration.
Defending Gang-Related Charges
Many misdemeanor charges become felonies when gang activity is involved. A skilled Los Angeles gang crime defense attorney will aggressively seek to have the gang-related charges thrown out. An experienced Los Angeles juvenile crime defense attorney will also fight to have the criminal charges lessened or removed. The Los Angeles juvenile crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP also carefully examine the details of our client's arrest to determine if any constitutional rights have been violated. If your child has been charged with committing a gang-related offense in Los Angeles, please call our offices today for a free consultation.
Visit www.attorney-criminal-dui.com to find out more about the charges that Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP can help defend you against. Also on the website you will find additional resources and information that are helpful to anyone who is charged with a crime. Offices in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. For more information or to schedule a free consultation please call (888) 579-4844.
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