Oakland is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Location based analytics show that nearly 1,683 violent crimes occur per 100,000 residents. In efforts to curb widespread violence, local police forces and even other law enforcement agencies such as the FBI have cracked down on gang members especially. Police raids are typical in this area and law enforcement is generous with arrests. Recently, a raid resulted in the arrest of 16 alleged gang members. Police officers hoped to arrest 35 to 40 more people in the days following.
Violence Statistics in Oakland
Oakland doesn’t have a reputation as a gentle city. It routinely appears on the top 10 most dangerous cities in the nation. As a result, crackdown attempts usually result in numerous individuals being imprisoned, whether or not they are deserving of the sentence received.
Take a look at these facts and statistics on Oakland:
- There are approximately 47 gangs in Oakland.
- Oakland ranks first nationwide in violent robberies.
- Approximately 1,683 violent crimes occur per 100,000 residents.
- Chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Oakland are 1 in 59.
Law enforcement takes extreme measures to ensure that these statistics drop, and leave a host of criminal charges in their wake.
Punishment for Gang Violence
If a crime of any sort is committed for a street gang, and the person charged with the crime intended to benefit the gang by promoting, furthering, or assisting criminal gang conduct, that person will face far more severe punishments than if the crime was committed without gang association. Active participation in a criminal street gang with full knowledge of the criminal behavior of the members is a criminal offense in and of itself. Gang crimes are treated definitively and the repercussions those charged with gang-related violent crimes face can be harsh.
Alleged gang members are often charged with these crimes:
- Homicides
- Assaults
- Burglaries
- Street Robberies
- Home Invasions
Proving that a crime was made for personal reasons and not for the benefit of the gang can be difficult, especially if others are predisposed to assume that every action a gang member takes can be traced back to the gang as a whole.
In order to effectively protect your future in the face of gang-related violent charges, it is absolutely necessary to get help from an experienced lawyer. At The Castillo Law Office, our Oakland criminal defense attorneys tenaciously fight for the best outcome for each and every client and tirelessly defend their rights. Founding Attorney Ernesto Castillo has been featured on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX and more for his work as an experienced defense lawyer who fights for his clients rights.
If you are facing crime charges, don’t hesitate to contact us today!