An Overview Of Organized Crime
ORGANIZED CRIME IN HOUSTON, TX
When people think of organized crime, they typically think of mobsters operating in New York City or Chicago. The truth is that organized crime can happen anywhere and may include a variety of offenses. Section 71.02 of the Texas Penal Code describes some of the offenses that can occur as a result of organized crime, which basically involves three or more persons operating in tandem:
- Illegal gambling rings
- Murder
- Arson
- Aggravated robbery
- Forgery
- Sexual assault/rape
- Kidnapping
- Promotion of prostitution
Seek Help Early
Investigations into organized crime often take place several months before an arrest happens. People who are suspected of involvement in a crime ring can be subjected to several investigative techniques, which may include:
- Phone tapping
- Police surveillance at home or place of employment
- Interviewing witnesses and/or accomplices
- Conducting a sting operation
If you suspect you may be the target of an organized crime investigation, your best course of action is to contact an attorney right away. An aggressive defense lawyer will make sure your rights are not violated, and that police follow the proper protocol when conducting surveillance or wiretapping operations. In the event that you are questioned by police, having an attorney by your side is invaluable, as law enforcement officials often use unscrupulous techniques in order to gain a confession.
Developing An Organized Crime Defense
The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to confront your accusers. This right is especially important if you are accused of organized crime because information from police informants is often used to secure an arrest warrant. By having an attorney carefully cross-examine testimony from these witnesses, the jury will be able to determine if there is an underlying motive for the informant to give information. This could lead to reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury and ultimately result in an acquittal.
CONTACT ATTORNEY JAMES ALSTON
Every set of circumstances is different and an acquittal will not always be possible; however, quality representation is always possible. Attorney James Alston aggressively fights for the rights of his clients and he will do the same for you no matter what your charges are. As a former prosecutor for the Organized Crime Drug Task Force, he knows how prosecutors attempt to manipulate the circumstances in order to gain a guilty verdict. If you’ve been arrested, call (713) 228-1400 for an appointment today.