Because of the spread of organized crime in the U.S., the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) was enacted as part of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 in order to make it easier to prosecute organized crime. Various types of organized crime cost the U.S. billions of dollars every year, and the cost of the related suffering that results from it cannot even be counted. For this reason, RICO crimes are punished with severe penalties and can be met with both criminal and civil consequences. If you’ve been charged with a RICO crime, you need the best legal representation you can find. You need to consult with a RICO charges lawyer as soon as you discover you are being charged so that this legal advocate can do the talking for you.
What Must Be Proven in a RICO Charge
In order to prove that a defendant is guilty of a RICO crime, it must be shown by the prosecution that he/she was working as part of some sort of criminal enterprise and that there was a repetitive pattern of illegal racketeering activity and not just an isolated event. The defendant must have been aware of the existence of the criminal enterprise or conspiracy and that it was engaged in criminal activity beyond his/her individual role in it. RICO crimes are often designed to make money or to hide money that was generated through criminal activity, as in money laundering. These crimes commonly include fraud or extortion, bribery, drug trafficking or even human trafficking. They may even involve terrorist activity.
Defenses Against a RICO Charge
Although RICO charges are a serious matter, there are some strong defenses against them. For example, if the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights are violated because some evidence was illegally entered, that is a valid defense. Since the burden of proof is on the prosecution, if they are unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was involved in racketeering, then he or she must be acquitted. RICO charges also cannot be made if it cannot be shown that a crime or crimes were part of a criminal enterprise. An experienced RICO charge lawyer can help you build a strong defense if you have been charged with a RICO crime.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation With a RICO Charge Lawyer Today
If you are facing a RICO charge, call to schedule a free consultation with a RICO charge lawyer today. RICO charges can mean years in prison and the ruin of a hard-earned personal or business reputation. The skilled legal professionals at the Law Offices of John D. Kirby will thoroughly investigate your case and will build a defense that helps you gain the best outcome. Give us a call at 619-557-0100 to schedule a legal consultation to discuss your charges with our friendly staff.
