California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Sandoval, E065820 (Cal. App. 2017):
Section 186.22, subdivision (b)(1) provides a sentencing enhancement for felonies "committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members." The prosecution has the burden of proof. (People v. Weddington (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 468, 484.) To prove the crime is "gang related," the prosecution need only prove one of three alternatives: the crime was committed "(1) for the benefit of, (2) at the direction of, or (3) in association with a gang." (People v. Morales (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 1176, 1198, italics omitted.) "'Expert opinion that particular criminal conduct benefited a gang' . . . can be sufficient to support the Penal Code section 186.22, subdivision (b)(1), gang enhancement. [Citation.]" (People v. Vang (2011) 52 Cal.4th 1038, 1048.)
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