Will Artificial Intelligence Curb Gang Violence or Brand Innocent People as Gang Members?

Scientists are developing an artificial intelligence system to identify gang-related crimes, but there are concerns that innocent people may be mistakenly branded as gang members.

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Solving Gang-Related Crimes

Although artificial intelligence can help to identify gang members involved in criminal activities, there is a risk that innocent citizens may be wrongly identified. Law enforcement has been using computer algorithms in artificial intelligence for years to solve crimes. This practice, known as predictive policing, helps to identify crimes and map criminal networks within certain areas. Currently, artificial intelligence systems can identify gang-related crimes based on certain pieces of information such as the primary weapon or weapons used, the number of suspects, and the location where the crime took place. Law enforcement officials are optimistic that these systems can help to prevent gang violence and solve gang-related crimes.

In many large cities, a big percentage of violent crimes are attributed to gang members involved in gang-related activities. Studies done in Chicago and Los Angeles show that at least 50 percent of homicides appear to be gang-related crimes. In most cities, identifying gang crimes and gang members is currently handled by trained police officers in criminal gang divisions, but the process of gathering necessary information takes extensive time and effort. Since the process is slow and long, criminal gang units often focus on serious or violent crimes including homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults which make up the highest numbers of labeled gang-related crimes.

In Minneapolis and St Paul, gang-related violence is on the rise. Gang activities often involve gun violence used in drive-by shootings for gang retaliation, armed robberies, and aggravated assaults on innocent victims. According to Jeff Rugel, the Minneapolis Police Lieutenant, there are currently between 20 and 25 gangs operating within the city. In many cases, without proper identification and evidence to support criminal charges gang members are back on the streets within 48 hours.

A new artificial intelligence system that helps to identify gang members and gang-related crimes will benefit law enforcement in all cities where gang violence is a problem. It will reduce gang activities and speed up efforts to take violent criminals off the streets. However, these systems must ensure that innocent people are not identified as gang members and arrested for crimes they did not commit.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

A Santa Clara University study shows that over one million people in Minnesota have criminal records. In Minneapolis alone, 5,713 crimes are reported annually within an area of 100,000 residents. These criminal cases require the defendants to present evidence challenging the prosecutor's narrative. So, when does the defense present evidence in a criminal case? Your defense team presents evidence at the trial phase right after the prosecution team completes outlining the facts it intends to prove and how its evidence will prove you guilty.
Media attention and public scrutiny after conviction can hurt your personal and professional reputation, especially if your criminal case is high-profile. One of the questions you may ask is: How do I handle media attention and public scrutiny after conviction in Minnesota? You can do that by familiarizing yourself with your rights, having a witness present during a media interview, minimizing media consumption, and taking a break from social media. Building a strong support system and working closely with a criminal defense lawyer can help you handle or minimize the impact of public scrutiny.
The timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.