Gang violence crimes in Colorado are a constant problem, a concern for the safety of many people throughout the region. Many of these events involve firearms and deadly outcomes. That is where an experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of James L. Finegan, P.C., can help.
This is not a problem that is going away. In 2016, The Colorado Springs Police Department disbanded its gang unit due to a drop in the number of risks. However, in 2019, it was forced to reboot the program, assigning four detectives and one sergeant to it. The unit works to provide the police with information on gang-related crimes throughout the city. The goal is to protect the city from these threats.
Data from Inside Prison states that, in the city of Lakewood alone, there are 36 known active gangs, including three youth groups. The estimate is just under 300 people being involved in them. The trend in gang activity and violence here has increased in recent years.
Gang activity typically involves any situation involving three or more members who intentionally commit some type of serious crime. Typically, there is a pattern of criminal gang activity present, meaning the problem is ongoing. That activity could include any type of planning, attempting, conspiracy to, or solicitation of criminal acts that occur on more than one occasion.
Colorado gang-related crime can include a wide range of activities, including the following:
In some situations, gang activity can be escalated from a local and state case to a federal case, especially in situations that involve money laundering or drug trafficking. In these situations, the FBI is typically involved, and the consequences include imprisonment for federal crime.
Gang recruitment is another factor to consider. If a person is convicted of gang recruitment, this indicates that the person was engaging in some type of activity to knowingly solicit, recruit, coerce, or encourage another person to participate in a gang or gang-related activity. This is considered a class 2 misdemeanor, which can lead to 120 days in jail and a $750 fine. If the use of force or threats is used to recruit or force others into gang activity, the penalties increase to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
If you have been accused of any type of gang violence or activity in the state of Colorado, it is critical to take these charges seriously and to seek legal advice and representation. The state and local police departments seek out and punish those they can to make a statement in an effort to stop gangs. This is often done with little regard for your rights, which is why you need a defense attorney on your side as soon as possible.
If you have been charged with gang-related violence in Colorado, call the Law Offices of James L. Finegan P.C. now to discuss your case during a private consultation.