The Tampa authorities are coming to the conclusion relative to the criminal prosecutions that followed the arrest of 10 alleged members of the Westside Gang. Seven of those arrested have already been convicted of racketeering-related charges under Florida criminal law. The last three defendants are set for trial on June 14. The 10 alleged gang members who were arrested are all repeat offenders and have been charged with 108 felonies and 69 misdemeanors. The Westside Gang allegedly preyed primarily on migrant workers, women and the elderly.
Three gang members were convicted in January following a three-week trial. Two of the defendants in the case were sentenced to 20 years and 12 years respectively. The third defendant's sentencing was delayed as he agreed to cooperate and testify against the three defendants that are set to stand trial in June. The convictions represent a new approach to prosecution of gang members in the Tampa area. "I believe this may be the first time that gang members have been successfully prosecuted during a jury trial on racketeering charges," said one of the statewide prosecutors involved in the cases.
The criminal defense lawyers denied that their clients were part of a criminal organization during last month's trial. The criminal defense lawyers contended that "Westside" is a term poor blacks use to refer to people who lived on the west side of one of Plant City's railroad tracks. Over 120 items of evidence and more than 60 witnesses testified at the trial. " A case involving racketeering charges is very involved and requires a great deal of investigation and the documentation of an enormous amount of evidence," said the prosecutor.
Prosecutors are increasingly finding new ways to prosecute cases under Florida criminal law against those alleged to be gang members, explained Tampa criminal lawyer John Musca. "Prosecutors are increasingly relying on racketeering allegations against those alleged to be gang member," said Musca. "Whether the accused is actually a member of a gang is a critical issue in these cases. The prosecution's ability to establish that the accused is part of a gang, which is characterized as a criminal enterprise, can make the case difficult and lead to sentence enhancements."
If you have been arrested or are facing criminal allegations, you face a number of important decisions. The most critical one is choosing who will represent you in the legal system.
It is important to be proactive in building your defense. A conviction will likely change your life. But with high quality legal representation on your side, it is possible to put these charges behind you for good. If you have been arrested and are seeking legal guidance, Musca Law is here for you. Contact a Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney at Musca Law today, to speak with an experienced attorney. We offer a free initial consultation and Spanish language translations services.
