The Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs crime in the state of Texas gives police the right to arrest you if they believe you are a leader of a gang and directed or supervised the commission of certain gang crimes.

Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs is classified in the Texas Penal Code under Title 11 “Organized Crime,” Chapter 71 “Organized Crime.

Learn more detailed information about the Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs offense below.

What is the current Texas law about Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs?

The current Texas law defines the offense of Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs in Penal Code Section §71.023 as follows:^[1]

(a) A person commits an offense if the person, as part of the identifiable leadership of a criminal street gang, knowingly finances, directs, or supervises the commission of, or a conspiracy to commit, one or more of the following offenses by members of a criminal street gang:

(1) a felony offense that is listed in Article 42A.054(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;

(2) a felony offense for which it is shown that a deadly weapon, as defined by Section 1.07, was used or exhibited during the commission of the offense or during immediate flight from the commission of the offense; or

(3) an offense that is punishable under Section 481.112(e) or (f), 481.1121(b)(4), 481.1123(d), (e), or (f), 481.115(f), or 481.120(b)(6), Health and Safety Code.

How can I be charged with Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs?

You can be charged with Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs if the state’s attorneys believe that each of the elements of 71.023(a) as described in the section above have been met.

What is the punishment for Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs?

A conviction for Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs is punished as a Felony of the First Degree,^[2] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 a minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of up to life in prison. Learn about the differences between grades of felonies and misdemeanors

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §71.023^2. Texas Penal Code §71.023(b)