Racketeering

If you are considered by federal investigators to be a career criminal or drug boss, you are at risk of being indicted for racketeering. Federal prosecutors will bring a racketeering charge against you if they believe you have committed two or more crimes, such as drug trafficking, extortion, bribery, wire fraud or money laundering, over a 10 year period. If you are indicted for racketeering, you will need practical legal advice and an experienced defense attorney.

Federal Racketeering And Rico

Federal racketeering laws target individuals who allegedly have a pattern of criminal activity. A racketeer is traditionally defined as someone who belongs to an organized crime operation. Federal laws also focus on businesses that take part in illegal activities.

The federal laws covering racketeering include:

• Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE Statute or the Kingpin Statute)
• Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity
• Hobbs Act
• Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

Racketeering is the major focus of RICO, and the act defines racketeering and describes its punishment. RICO focuses on ongoing criminal organizations in an effort to reduce organized crime. The law makes it possible to prosecute syndicate leaders for crimes that they ordered but did not personally carry out.

If you are convicted of a RICO charge, you can be fined up to $25,000 and/or sentenced to as many as 20 years in prison. Your assets may also be seized. Under RICO, you may also be sued in a civil court.

How Federal Criminal Lawyers from Fienman Defense Will Help

When you are up against a racketeering charge, you will be facing inflexible laws and a determined US prosecutor. You will need an attorney who can help you determine all of your options and achieve the best outcome for your circumstances.

United States Code

Read more about federal criminal offenses in the United States Code.