Top Swainsboro, GA RICO Lawyers Near You
601 North Belair Square, Suite 16, Evans, GA 30809
1450 Greene Street, Suite 230, Enterprise Mill, Augusta, GA 30903
2428 Williams St, Augusta, GA 30904
We found a limited number of RICO law firms in Swainsboro. Below are some of the closest additional firms.
2392 N Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033
Those seeking legal help with RICO can reach out to Shein, Brandenburg & Schrope, a local practice representing people in Swainsboro, Georgia.
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3151 Maple Drive NE, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30305
The Rice Law Firm, LLC helps Swainsboro clients with their RICO needs.
Se Habla Español
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Virtual Appointments
33 S. Main Street, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30009
A law firm in Swainsboro, Georgia, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC experienced in helping clients with RICO issues.
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315 Washington Avenue Northeast, Marietta, GA 30060
For legal issues concerning RICO, let Lisa Wells Law Firm, a local practice in Swainsboro, Georgia, help you find a solution.
Free Consultation
1501 N Jefferson St NE, Milledgeville, GA 31061
577 Mulberry St, Suite 1420, Macon, GA 31201
577 Mulberry St, Suite 710, Macon, GA 31201
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1225, Macon, GA 31201
35 Barnard Street, Suite 300, Savannah, GA 31401
8 East Liberty Street, PO Box 10164, Savannah, GA 31412-3921
4849 Paulsen Street, Suite 201, Savannah, GA 31405
104 W State St, Suite 200, Savannah, GA 31401
Swainsboro RICO Information
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What Is a RICO Violation?
The 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.
How Do I Get a RICO Charge?
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.
What Does the RICO Act Cover?
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:
- Illegal gambling
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Extortion
- Arson
- Robbery
- Bribery
- Dealing in obscene matter
- Drug offenses
- Counterfeiting
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- Fraud
- Witness tampering
- Human trafficking
- Money laundering
- Murder-for-hire
- Loan-sharking
- Terrorism
- Mail fraud
- Wire fraud
- Securities fraud
How Serious Is a RICO Charge?
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.
How Do You Beat a RICO Case?
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.