Arrested? Under Investigation? Choose 30 Years of Experience to Preserve Your Freedom. 24/7 Availability.
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Top-Rated, Highly-Experienced, LOCAL Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys. 150+ Yrs. Combined Experience. A+ by the BBB, Super Lawyers, Superb 10 AVVO, Top 100 Trial Lawyers
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Facing serious consequences for a crime? You need a attorney with over 30 years of experience. Former division chief prosecutor.
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7950 NW 53rd St., Suite 337, Miami, FL 33166
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Musca Law has experience helping clients with their RICO needs in Miami, Florida.
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3700 Airport Road, Suite 401, Boca Raton, FL 33431
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Representing clients with RICO issues in Florida, Whittel & Melton, LLC, a reputable law firm based in Miami.
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1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 2700 M-1, Miami, FL 33131
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O'Brien Hatfield Reese, PA has experience helping clients with their RICO needs in Miami, Florida.
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4123 Eastridge Circle, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
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Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter has experience helping clients with their RICO needs in Miami, Florida.
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4601 Military Trail, Suite 206, Jupiter, FL 33458-4837
Assisting people in Florida with their RICO needs. Learn More.
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14707 S Dixie Hwy, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33176
Representing people in Miami, Florida with their RICO issues.
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RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
777 Brickell Ave, Suite 1370, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
9130 S Dadeland Blvd, Two Datran Center, Suite 1910, Miami, FL 33156
RICO Lawyers | Coral Gables Office | Serving Miami, FL
550 Biltmore Way, Suite 780, Coral Gables, FL 33134
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
1401 Brickell Avenue, Suite 910, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
200 South Biscayne Blvd., Suite 4100, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33126
RICO Lawyers | Fort Lauderdale Office | Serving Miami, FL
350 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1750, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
701 Waterford Way, Suite 340, Miami, FL 33126
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
799 Brickell Plaza, Suite 606, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
555 NE 15th Street, Penthouse A, Miami, FL 33132
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
100 SE 2nd Street, Suite 2100, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Coral Gables Office | Serving Miami, FL
121 Alhambra Plaza, Suite 1500, Coral Gables, FL 33134
RICO Lawyers | Coral Gables Office | Serving Miami, FL
2030 S. Douglas Road, Suite 214, Coral Gables, FL 33134
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Fort Lauderdale Office | Serving Miami, FL
400 SE 8th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1124
RICO Lawyers | Fort Lauderdale Office | Serving Miami, FL
6400 N. Andrews Avenue, Suite 510, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
Wells Fargo Center, 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 2700, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
333 SE 2nd Ave, Fl 20, Miami, FL 33131
RICO Lawyers | Miami Office
2 S Biscayne Blvd., Suite 3500, Miami, FL 33131
Lead Counsel independently verifies RICO attorneys in Miami and checks their standing with Florida bar associations.
Our Verification Process and CriteriaThe Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act was enacted in 1970 to address organized crime. Under RICO laws, anyone associated with the criminal group could be charged, including organization leaders who ordered or oversaw the criminal activity without directly taking part. RICO also provided for civil remedies and triple damages to recover unlawful gains.
A RICO charge generally involves participation in a “criminal enterprise” with a “pattern of racketeering activity.” To get a RICO charge, the prosecutor must suspect you were involved in a criminal gang or group and the criminal activity involved more than a one-time event. Initially, RICO was used to go after organized crime and the Mafia. However, since the law went into effect, it has been used to indict a number of alleged criminal enterprises, including street gangs, motorcycle gangs, corporations, and police departments
The RICO Act also makes it a violation to conspire to commit racketeering offenses. Conspiracy to violate RICO charges means that someone can be charged and convicted even if the crime was never carried out. A conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, with some overt act towards furthering the offense.
A “pattern of racketeering activity” requires at least two qualifying acts, within a period of ten years. The RICO Act has included several crimes that qualify as racketeering activity, including state and federal offenses. Acts of racketeering can include:
A RICO charge is a serious criminal offense that carries the possibility of jail time, fines, and seizure of assets. RICO charges are federal felony charges that include imprisonment for up to 20 years or more. In addition to prison penalties, there are severe financial penalties, which include forfeiture of any interest, security, or property derived from racketeering activity.
There are also civil penalties under RICO. A violation of the RICO Act could include ordering the defendant to turn over financial or business interests, restrict future activities, and break up organizations. Civil remedies can also require restitution to any victims of the criminal offenses.
When federal prosecutors charge someone with RICO offenses, the penalties can include years in federal prison and loss of your financial assets. However, you may have a strong legal case to beat RICO charges. Legal defenses may include challenging the prosecutor’s case to show there was no criminal enterprise and no pattern of criminal activity.
Even if you were involved in criminal activity, it has to be a pattern of racketeering. If there is only evidence of one crime, the defendant should not be convicted under RICO. Alternatively, committing a crime on your own without participation in a criminal organization may be another defense strategy.
Prosecutors may rely on the seriousness of RICO charges to get the defendant to plead guilty to other charges instead of facing the increased RICO penalties. However, before you plead guilty to criminal charges, you should consider talking to a criminal defense attorney for legal advice.
No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.
Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.
A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:
Depending on your specific legal situation, it’s possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.
Affidavit – A sworn written statement made under oath. An affidavit is meant to be a supporting document to the court assisting in the verification of certain facts. An affidavit may or may not require notarization.