Charged With Organized Criminal Activity as a Member of a Street Gang in Texas

2020-01-08

What is engaging in organized crime?

The State of Texas can charge a person with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity in two different ways:

The accused person was in a group of 3 or more people (a “combination”) who collaborated in carrying on criminal activities; or
The accused person was a member of a criminal street gang; the person commits or conspires to commit one or more of the following:

Murder	Capital Murder	Arson
Aggravated Robbery	Robbery	Burglary
Theft	Aggravated Kidnapping	Kidnapping
Aggravated Assault	Aggravated Sexual Assault	Sexual Assault
Solicitation of a minor	Deadly Conduct	Forgery
Class A Misdemeanor Assault	Burglary of a Motor Vehicle	Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

What is the punishment for organized crime in Texas?

When a person is accused of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity while committing one of the offenses listed above, the offense is one category higher than the most serious offense. For example, one person committing a first offense Burglary of a motor vehicle is a Class A Misdemeanor. Three people (a combination) committing a first offense Burglary of a Motor Vehicle can be charged as Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (State Jail Felony).

What is gang related organized crime?

It does not always take three people to get charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Two people, or even one person, who, as a member of a criminal street gang commit or conspires to commit one or more of the offenses listed above can be charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. A Street Gang is defined as three or more persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an identifiable leadership who continuously or regularly associate in the commission of criminal activities.

This means that the “Street Gang” must be made of at least three people, but you can be charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity as a Member of a Street Gang even if you are alone during the alleged offense. The State of Texas has police officers who are designated as “Gang Experts” and will testify that groups like the Blood, Crip, and Tango Blast gangs are street gangs that engage in criminal activity. Further, the Gang Experts will likely be given access to the accused to photograph any tattoos that might be indicative of gang affiliation.

Can you fight an Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity charge?

Yes! Especially the Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity as a member of a street gang. In June, 2018, the Texas Court Of Criminal Appeals wrote an opinion in Zuniga v. State, 551 S.W.3d 729, 736 (2018) that said:

“Furthermore, we interpret the word "as" in the phrase "as a member of a criminal street gang" as requiring proof that the defendant was acting "[i]n the role, capacity, or function of" a gang member at the time of the offense.”

This means that the Prosecutor must show that (1) The group they say you were a part of IS a criminal street gang; (2) You were a member of that street gang; and (3) You were “acting in the role, capacity, or function of a gang member at the time of the offense.” They must also prove whatever the underlying charge is; Burglary of a Motor Vehicle in our earlier example.

If you are charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity as a Member of a Street Gang, you need an attorney who is familiar with making a defense supported by Zuniga v. State. This is not the only defense you may have in your case, but it is certainly one you want to make if it is available.

Contact A Criminal Defense Attorney To Talk About Your Engaging In Organized Criminal Activity Charge

Help Is Here! John Leo and George Oginni are criminal defense attorneys at Leo & Oginni Trial Lawyers who are familiar with recent caselaw decisions and can argue to defend your rights.

Got Pulled Over? Don't Make These Mistakes when Talking to Police

2019-12-31

Don't Make These Mistakes If You Are Pulled Over By Police!

Don't argue with police about why you were pulled over. You cannot argue your way out of a ticket or being arrested.
Have your driver’s license and insurance information ready to give when the officer arrives at your window. Don’t give them a reason to say “He/She was reaching….”
Make sure there is nothing “in plain sight” that will allow police to search your car without your consent. If a police officer sees some weed, a pistol, alcohol, or anything illegal that is out in the open, officers can search your car without your consent.
If police ask if they can search your car, the answer should always be “no,” even if you have nothing to hide. Why? Perhaps you drive for Uber or Lyft part-time and someone who had a prescription dropped an Oxycontin pill in your car (PG1 drug, State Jail Felony). Even if you can eventually get the charges dismissed, all the headache could have been avoided by doing what Nancy Reagan said, “Just Say No.” If you are told to step out of the vehicle during a traffic stop, do so politely and close the door.
This is the most important rule to follow if you have something in the car that you shouldn’t: SHUT THE “F” UP! The body cameras are on and you are being recorded. Everything you say is helping officers build a case against you. Don’t fill in the gaps for them. Instead, you can say, “I would like to speak with my attorney before I answer any questions.” Don’t be afraid to protect your rights by remaining silent and requesting your attorney.

If you or a loved one has been arrested, visit us online at www.helpishere.law or just give us a call at (713) 280-3204. Let the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Leo & Oginni Trial Lawyers evaluate your case for FREE! We will let you know how we can help and guide you through the process of defending your rights.

Leo & Oginni Personal Injury Lawyers, PLLC

Charged With Organized Criminal Activity as a Member of a Street Gang in Texas

Got Pulled Over? Don't Make These Mistakes when Talking to Police