When it comes to criminal charges, there are some which can carry more substantial penalties than others. When a charge alleging organized criminal activity is added to another criminal charge, it increases the stakes substantially. It is important that people understand the difference between acts which are truly part of an organized crime scheme and those which are not.

Part of determining whether a crime is part of an organized crime scheme has to do with the people involved. At a minimum, there must be three people. However, a simple head count does not automatically place a crime into the realm of organized crime. The three or more people who were involved in the commission of the crime must be a “combination,” or a group of people who intended to work together to carry out a continuing course of criminal activity.

Sometimes, an individual participates in one of the crimes which are carried out by an organized crime operation without being aware of it. For example, if a person participates in a vehicle theft but does not know that it is part of a larger scheme to steal multiple cars over time, they may not have the requisite intent to be charged with organized crime because they did not intend to work with the group to carry out the other thefts or profit from them. However, it is possible for there to be a “combination” of individuals committing organized crime without knowing each other’s identities. Since organized crime occurs over a period of time, it is also possible that individuals may come into and go out of the “combination” during the course of its activity.

A scenario which is often mistaken for organized crime is that of a group of people who carry out a few crimes over the course of an evening. A burglary spree that happens one night is not necessarily organized crime because the people who worked together to steal things from various locations that evening may not have any sort of plan to work together on any other occasions to carry out any other crimes.

While many crimes that are not part of organized crime schemes are reported, a great deal of organized crime goes unreported. While theft and drug crimes are sometimes associated with organized crime, other crimes such as human trafficking, public corruption, and money laundering are also often organized crime activities. Reports from law enforcement indicate that a large amount of organized crime happens in Texas.

A few recent news stories involve Texas cases where the individuals involved have been charged with organized crime. On March 15, two men were arrested for stealing ATVs and a trailer in Tom Green County. Further investigation revealed evidence linking the two men to other thefts and a third person who was involved in at least some of the illegal activities. In an unrelated case, two people from Temple were arrested in March for mail theft. Investigation into their activities has connected them to numerous thefts of tools and equipment from fire departments and construction sites, and bank fraud. It will remain to be seen whether the organized crime portions of the charges will be upheld in either of these cases.

Any criminal charge can have a serious impact on your life, and organized crime charges can be even more devastating. If you have been charged with any form of organized crime, you need the assistance of an experienced East Texas Criminal Defense Attorney.  To learn more, call attorney Alex Tyra today, and schedule a free consultation. We can be reached at (903) 753-7499, or you may visit us online to submit a convenient contact form.

One common mistake that defendants who are charged with misdemeanors make is handling their misdemeanor cases on their own without the aid of an attorney. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor of any class, know that facing misdemeanor charges on your own is risky. Here are four reasons why you should seek the assistance of an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney.

Knowing and understanding your rights is an important part of any criminal case, including a misdemeanor. Everyone who is involved in the legal process, from police and investigators to prosecutors and others must follow certain rules. The rules are designed to protect the rights of persons who are accused of crimes, so if one or more rules have not been followed in your case, your rights may have been violated. A violation of rights could be the basis for excluding certain evidence from your criminal case. An attorney will help you to understand your rights, and they can also help you take steps to protect them.

A second good reason to involve a skilled criminal defense attorney in your misdemeanor case is so that you will be able to understand the options that are available to you. You may be eligible for programs like probation or diversion, which may sound good when they are presented to you. Before you decide which way to go with your case, it is important that you fully understand all of the terms and conditions that you would be agreeing to in selecting each option. For example, probation agreements may contain requirements that would take more time, effort, or money to comply with than you are willing to invest. Defendants who sign off on probation agreements without truly understanding what they mean are at a high risk for violating their probation. In contrast, defendants who negotiate probation agreements that contain conditions that they feel they can fulfill are likely to complete the term of their probation successfully.

A third reason to seek legal representation in your misdemeanor case is that your criminal defense attorney may be able to help you to keep the charges off of your record. If your charges are expunged, you will have more privacy regarding your record. Your attorney will know whether you may qualify for expunction, and they can help you pursue it if it is an option for you.

The fourth reason that it is important to seek legal counsel if you have been charged with a misdemeanor is that the punishments for some misdemeanors are more severe than you might expect. In addition to fines and/or jail time, a misdemeanor conviction could have consequences which can reach far into the future. For example, if you are arrested in the future for the same type of offense, you may receive an enhanced penalty. You may also experience difficulties in obtaining work, getting public assistance, and finding housing. Your family life may also be affected, as convictions may affect your ability to have custody of your children or to become an adoptive or foster parent. A seasoned criminal defense attorney can help you to understand both the short-term and long-term consequences of a conviction. More importantly, they are your best defense against being convicted.

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you will benefit from the assistance of a knowledgeable East Texas Criminal Defense Attorney. To learn more, call attorney Alex Tyra today, and schedule a free consultation. We can be reached at (903) 753-7499, or you may visit us online to submit a convenient online contact form.