Defense of Drug and Gang Charges
For 26 years now, I've defended those individuals who are charged with drug-related offenses, and also gang allegations are alleged on the back of their charge. This makes things much more serious.
There are a lot of gangs that are involved in the drug trade, and it's big money, and there are weapons involved and murders and all sorts of things going on that the police and prosecutors are trying to prevent.
So, if you or a loved one is charged with both a gang allegation and a drug charge — whether that be at the federal level — sometimes they'll be RICO charges, drugs, gang allegations, murder charges — all sorts of stuff — multiple defendants. I will guide you through the legal process, explaining each step and what to expect to ensure you are fully informed and prepared.
Federal RICO Allegations
They prosecuted one of the first significant gang cases that involved drugs — the Vineland Boys. That was in the 1990s.
That was one of the first times the feds actually came in and arrested pretty much as many people as they could in the gang and charged them with RICO allegations. They charged them with gang allegations and charged them with moving drugs.
The police and the FBI know that gangs move drugs. They move drugs out of jail; they move drugs into jail, believe it or not.
What they are tasked with doing is stamping out gang activity. Part of that, from their perspective, involves taking out these individuals who are involved with drug sales and drug distribution.
Whether inside or outside the United States, the jails/prisons, or the local streets of Los Angeles.
Gang Sentencing Enhancement
So, the federal government and the state governments have set up multi-task forces where state and federal law enforcement are working together to try to stamp out gangs and drug activity.
That's why a lot of these federal cases involve a 10, 20-year minimum for those individuals who are caught with large amounts of drugs, especially if they're moving drugs to benefit a criminal street gang.
That's one big thing the prosecutors must prove if they have a gang allegation, which comes with ample time.
They have to be able to prove that the reason these drugs are being moved is so that a criminal street gang can benefit from the movement of these drugs.
That extra allegation can bring years in either state or federal prison if they can prove that.
Experienced Drug Crime Lawyer in Los Angeles
So, if you or a loved one is charged with moving drugs, gang allegation, and facing a lot of time in prison, obviously you're going to want to hire someone like me who's been doing this for over 25
Over the years, I have had a lot of success and know how to defend these cases.
Sometimes, the prosecutors and police try to ram a square block into a circle to try to force that this must be for the benefit of a street gang.
They try to force that this person must be involved in a large number of drugs even though they're just a mule, have limited responsibility, and have limited monies being made, yet they try to heap all of these horrible penalties that come along with drug and gang-related offenses.
It's my job to try to minimize those types of penalties or try to win the case outright if it's a case that is winnable.
That's probably one of the first things we must figure out when we meet. Is your case winnable, or is this a case where it's not winnable, and we really should be trying to find a resolution instead of fighting the case?
Once we have that figured out, then the pieces pretty much fall in place, and we decide exactly how we're going to handle your drug and gang-related charges.
Review of Discovery to Determine Case Strategy
Before formulating a defense strategy, I make it a point to thoroughly review all aspects of the case, including the discovery, paperwork, and videos. This comprehensive approach ensures that every detail is noticed in your defense.
Also, by speaking to the prosecutor and seeing their position, I can converse well with the client to make the best decisions.
How we can best defend you if you're charged with moving, transporting, possessing for sale drugs, and also there's a gang allegation on the back end of it. Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm in the San Fernando Valley.
