Gangs
Gang Supression
Our goal is to protect our community by utilizing all available resources to effectively investigate, evaluate, prosecute, convict, and obtain the maximum appropriate sentence for hardcore members of criminal street gangs. Street gang members tend to be repeat offenders. They also tend to commit some of the most violent offenses against our citizens.
By focusing our attention upon the most hardened and malicious gang members who frequently violate the law and often commit violent, armed crimes, we protect society by removing these individuals from our streets so that they do not cause further harm to the citizens of Stanislaus County. We achieve this goal by using well trained, experienced prosecutors who work closely with law enforcement and are well versed on the facts of each case and the nuances of this particular are of specialized law.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Gang Unit is a specialized unit dedicated to the suppression of gang activities by working closely with other gang units and local law enforcement agencies to target gang related crime. Both adult and juvenile gang defendants are prosecuted vertically.
Gang Unit
The Office of the District Attorney's Gang Unit is dedicated to removing the most dangerous gang members from our community. The Gang Unit is comprised of specially trained and highly experienced attorneys and investigators. These dedicated professionals will prosecute all gang cases in Stanislaus County. Gang crimes make up a vast majority of the serious and violent crimes committed in our neighborhoods and on our streets. Members of the Unit work closely with law enforcement agencies throughout the County and State to identify gangs and their members in an effort to monitor gang activity in Stanislaus County.
The Office of the District Attorney has members in the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force (CVGIT). The CVGIT is an FBI Safe Streets Task Force whose primary focus is to reduce gang violence in Stanislaus County. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from various law enforcement agencies within the county. As a part of the Task Force, representatives from the District Attorney’s office have access to the latest gang intelligence and are able to assist all law enforcement agencies in the county with the investigation of gang related crimes.
Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act
The Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act was enacted in 1988 by the California legislature which found that "the State of California is in a state of crisis which has been caused by violent street gangs whose members threaten, terrorize, and commit a multitude of crimes against the peaceful citizens of their neighborhoods." The STEP Act encompasses substantive charges of violations of the Penal Code, as well as special allegations which subject gang members who commit crimes to additional punishment. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office uses the STEP Act to aggressively prosecute gang members. The office consistently has a high conviction rate in gang cases.
Witness Assistance
The testimony of crime witnesses and victims is vital to the prosecution of gang cases. The District Attorney's Office recognizes that fear of gangs can prevent them from cooperating with a prosecution. As a result, deputy district attorneys often work with the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation to provide services to victims and witnesses, such as relocation.
What To Do
If you have knowledge of gang activity occurring in Stanislaus County, you are encouraged to contact the law enforcement agency in your jurisdiction or the District Attorney’s Office. Most law enforcement agencies allow you to provide information anonymously. The key to combating gang violence is for the public to get involved. Do not allow gang members to intimidate you. Allowing gang members to intimidate you empowers them and enables them to take control of entire communities. If you or someone you know are the victim of a gang crime, let your voice be heard. Report gang crime to law enforcement.
