SUPPORT OUR YOUTH!
SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES!
RALLY AGAINST UNFAIR & OVERCRIMINALIZATION OF YOUTH!
Join the Alliance Against Gang Enhancements
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17, 2009
8-10AM
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COURTHOUSE
701 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA
CONTACT: [email protected]
831-238-5290
We seek to educate Santa Cruz about the reality behind gang enhanced sentences. Gang enhanced sentences are on the rise in Santa Cruz County. They are destructive, unfair and cost too much money without solving the problem or even getting to the root causes. They do not deter gang crime, in fact they sensationalize the issue to the public.
Richard Bentancourt will go on trial this week in Santa Cruz for the FOURTH time on the same charges. Although the past 3 trials have resulted in a dismissal, a hung jury and a discovery violation, the District Attorney INSISTS on continuing to spend taxpayers money and cause great stress to the defendants and their families, in an unrelenting attempt to prove a “gang crime.” The defendants are facing years in prison for a street fight resulting in no serious injuries to the victim.
A “gang enhancement” or allegation of involvement in a criminal street gang can transform a simple misdemeanor charge, like shoplifting or trespassing, into a felony crime with consequences that include prison time and juveniles being tried as adults.
The law gives an extremely vague definition of a street gang. This opens the door to abuse of the law's intent. Many youth who have had contact with the criminal justice system are frequently charged with a gang crime and given a “gang enhanced sentence.”
SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES!
RALLY AGAINST UNFAIR & OVERCRIMINALIZATION OF YOUTH!
Join the Alliance Against Gang Enhancements
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17, 2009
8-10AM
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COURTHOUSE
701 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA
CONTACT: [email protected]
831-238-5290
We seek to educate Santa Cruz about the reality behind gang enhanced sentences. Gang enhanced sentences are on the rise in Santa Cruz County. They are destructive, unfair and cost too much money without solving the problem or even getting to the root causes. They do not deter gang crime, in fact they sensationalize the issue to the public.
Richard Bentancourt will go on trial this week in Santa Cruz for the FOURTH time on the same charges. Although the past 3 trials have resulted in a dismissal, a hung jury and a discovery violation, the District Attorney INSISTS on continuing to spend taxpayers money and cause great stress to the defendants and their families, in an unrelenting attempt to prove a “gang crime.” The defendants are facing years in prison for a street fight resulting in no serious injuries to the victim.
A “gang enhancement” or allegation of involvement in a criminal street gang can transform a simple misdemeanor charge, like shoplifting or trespassing, into a felony crime with consequences that include prison time and juveniles being tried as adults.
The law gives an extremely vague definition of a street gang. This opens the door to abuse of the law's intent. Many youth who have had contact with the criminal justice system are frequently charged with a gang crime and given a “gang enhanced sentence.”
