Orlando Criminal Attorneys Explain How to Beat RICO Charges

Being charged with a RICO violation can be scary. RICO stands for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It’s a federal law meant to combat organized crime. But nowadays, prosecutors use it to go after all kinds of crimes, even minor ones. The penalties are harsh too – up to 20 years in prison per count. Yikes!

Luckily, there are ways to fight back. The attorneys at [Example Law Firm] have years of experience defending clients against RICO charges in Orlando and throughout Florida. We know the ins and outs of these complex laws and how to build a strong defense for our clients.

What Does RICO Criminalize?

RICO makes it illegal to engage in a “pattern of racketeering activity” connected to an enterprise. An enterprise can be any organization, legal or criminal. The law is very broad. Prosecutors use it to go after all kinds of crimes these days, including [white collar crimes, drug conspiracies, violent gang activity, and more].

To charge someone under RICO, prosecutors must show:

• The existence of an enterprise that engages in or affects interstate commerce
• That the defendant was associated with or employed by the enterprise
• That the defendant engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity connected to the enterprise

“Racketeering activity” includes a whole laundry list of state and federal crimes, like [bribery, money laundering, extortion, murder, kidnapping, gambling, arson, drug crimes, human trafficking, counterfeiting, and many more].

How to Beat RICO Charges

RICO cases can be complex, but our Orlando criminal defense attorneys have a proven record of success. Here are some of the ways we defend clients against RICO:

Attack the Enterprise

For a RICO charge, prosecutors must prove the existence of a criminal enterprise. But the definition of “enterprise” is broad under the law. It can include legitimate organizations like corporations or partnerships. Or, it can refer to wholly criminal organizations like the mafia or street gangs.

In many RICO cases, the “enterprise” is [controversial or lacks solid evidence]. Our attorneys scrutinize the prosecution’s theory and look for holes to pick apart. If we can undermine the enterprise element, the RICO charges fall apart.

Challenge the Pattern of Racketeering

Prosecutors must also prove the defendant engaged in a “pattern of racketeering activity.” This means at least two racketeering acts within 10 years of each other. The crimes can be related or completely unrelated.

We dig into the prosecution’s evidence for each alleged act. Often, the [underlying charges are weak with little direct evidence tying our client to the crime]. By undercutting each instance of racketeering, we can defeat the pattern.

Argue Lack of Criminal Intent

For a RICO conviction, prosecutors must prove the defendant had knowledge of and intended to further the criminal enterprise. But in many cases, our clients had [no idea their actions supported illegal activity].

We can often show our client was an [unknowing participant or acted in good faith]. This undercuts the criminal intent required for a conviction.

Attack Sentencing Enhancements

A RICO conviction can lead to severe sentencing enhancements. Prosecutors often claim the racketeering activity affected interstate or foreign commerce, which adds up to 20 years per count. They may also seek criminal forfeiture of assets linked to the enterprise.

We scrutinize these enhancements for [legal and factual flaws]. If we win, our client faces less prison time and gets to keep more of their property.

Work with a Top Orlando RICO Defense Attorney

Don’t go it alone against RICO charges. These complex cases require an experienced defense lawyer. The attorneys at [Example Law Firm] have a proven track record defending RICO cases in Orlando and throughout Florida.

We dig deep into the prosecution’s evidence, build an aggressive defense, and highlight every weakness. Our thorough prep work has led to many [not guilty verdicts and dismissals] for clients facing RICO charges.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Schedule a free case review now. Call [phone number] or contact us online to get started.