When a group of people work together to commit a crime, they're engaging in organized criminal activity. This can involve a number of white-collar offenses such as fraud, bribery, and money laundering. The penalties for these offenses are more severe than if the crime was carried out by one person. If you've been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity (EOCA), you need an experienced attorney on your side.
At the Cabanas Law Firm, we've been providing high-quality criminal defense to the people of San Antonio since 2007. We understand the laws surrounding organized crime and can build a tough defense for your case. Contact us at (210) 446-4090 today.
Understanding an Organized Crime Charge
The Texas Penal Code applies several conditions to an EOCA charge. These conditions apply to both violent and white-collar crimes. Some of the fundamental conditions include :
- Three or more persons must be involved in the carrying out of a crime.
- These participants may not know each other's identity and the members of the organization may change through the duration of the crime.
- To charge a person with EOCA, it must be proven that they committed or conspired to commit the offense.
- The phrase “conspire to commit” means an individual agrees with one or more other people that one or more of them will carry out the offense and one or more of them perform an overt act in pursuance of the agreement.
To be convicted for an organized crime in a court of law, these conditions must be proven without a reasonable doubt. Furthermore, if another member of a criminal organization is arrested and charged with EOCA, you and other members of the group may be arrested as well. These are complex cases that require a skilled defense attorney with experience representing clients charged with organized crime.
Penalties for EOCA Charges
The penalty for an EOCA charge depends on the category of the underlying crime. Engaging in organized crime increases the penalty by one category, if convicted. For example, if the crime committed is typically a Class A misdemeanor, it's bumped up to a state jail felony. This means the potential for large fines and prison time goes up drastically, especially if the crime is already a felony.
Experienced Defense Against EOCA Charges
If you've been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in San Antonio, it's important you call the Cabanas Law Firm right away. We'll examine every detail of your case to build the most appropriate defense strategy. Our legal team will analyze the evidence against you and determine if it's enough to prove that multiple people conspired to commit the offense. We'll also look at the details of the police's investigation and your arrest to discover if procedural mistakes were made that violated your rights. Our goal is to get your charges reduced or dropped. We can also negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf.
Contact a Skilled EOCA Lawyer in San Antonio
Engaging in criminal activity could result in extensive jail time and large fines. These are very serious charges that can damage your professional reputation and hurt your chances of finding employment in the future. The Cabanas Law Firm understands the severity of the situation you're in and will provide experienced, knowledgeable defense with the goal of securing a favorable outcome. Contact us at (210) 446-4090 today to schedule a consultation.
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