Los Angeles Gangs and Piracy

New reports from the Los Angeles Police Department reveal that Los Angeles gangs have discovered a new criminal offense: piracy. Film and music piracy is an ever escalating battle, with individuals all over the country not only getting caught pirating music and movies, but punished severely as well. A Minneapolis, Minnesota woman recently made headlines when she was found guilty of music piracy and fined $1.2 million for copyright infringement. But whatever fines they may be assessed, Los Angeles gang members seem to prefer them to jail time.

Possession of 100 or more discs of either music or films has recently been elevated to a felony crime, but a conviction for a first-time piracy offender generally garners just probation. By contrast, possession of marijuana with intent to sell is often given the three-year maximum jail sentence. Los Angeles police say Los Angeles gang members focus most of their selling efforts in the Santee Alley area in downtown Los Angeles, where pirated goods draw in millions of dollars in business every year. The high profit margin is generally another factor in enticing Los Angeles gangs to criminal activity. Copies of pirated items can be made for just $1 or less and are usually sold for about $5.

While the selling of pirated movies and music may not seem like a particularly dangerous criminal offense, Los Angeles gang related activity in any form is taken very seriously by the Los Angeles Police Department. Even non-violent crimes such as money-laundering or piracy are subjected to enhanced penalties because of gang affiliation. Los Angeles is so serious about prosecuting Los Angeles gang related activities that the Los Angeles Police Department even has a register of Los Angeles gang members that those convicted of gang-related offenses are forced to be part of. Even people who are friendly with Los Angeles gang members, though not gang-affiliated themselves, may find themselves the unfair target of a gang-related criminal investigation.

If you or someone you know is being charged with a gang-related crime, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today to begin preparing your defense. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys will fight for your freedom and aggressively represent you to keep you with your family and out of jail.

Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin LLP has been recognized as one of the best U.S. law firms, based on the experience, professionalism, and ethics of its criminal defense lawyers and attorneys. We aggressively defend clients in all Southern California courtrooms on state and federal charges, including DUI, DMV, misdemeanor, felony, juvenile cases, in the following communities and courthouses.

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