Managing legal battles with family

4 Things to Do If You Have Been Accused of Gang-Related Crime

According to many news outlets, gang-related crime is up in parts of Australia, and if you have been accused of this type of activity, you may be wondering what you should do. To protect your rights, take a look at these tips.

1. Find Someone to Advocate for Your Rights

When it comes to gang-related activities, you don't necessarily even need to commit a crime to be charged with something. For example, the police may attempt to arrest you even if you haven't hurt some, vandalised something or committed a similar type of crime. Rather, they may simply arrest you based on anti-consorting or anti-association laws.

These laws, which are designed to break up gangs, prevent people from associating with two or more criminals at the same time. However, these laws are constantly changing and under a lot of scrutiny. If you have been charged with this type of offense, it's important to know your rights. To be on the safe side, get an attorney. Criminal law attorneys know the laws, and they can help you fight for your rights.

2. Choose a Lawyer With Experience in Gang-Related Cases

As you are choosing your lawyer, ask about their previous experiences. Ideally, you want a lawyer who is experienced in criminal law.

Note that not all lawyers are the same. An estate lawyer, for example, is great if you're trying to prepare a will, but if you need legal help with a criminal accusation, you need a lawyer experienced in that arena. In particular, ask the lawyer if they have experience helping people accused of gang-related crimes.

3. Contact an Immigration Law Specialist

If you are from another country and you are worried about the potential of being deported, you may want to contact a specialist in immigration law as well. They can work with your criminal attorney to help reduce the chances of you being kicked out of the country.

4. Take Notes

It can be hard to remember what truly happened as you get further and further away from the date of the alleged crime. To ensure everyone is on the same page, take notes about what happened. Write down your alibi and the timeline of the evening. Sometimes, prosecuting attorneys can make your forgetfulness look like guilt.

If you have pictures of the day in question or if you have social media posts that place you at another location, give those details to your criminal attorney.


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