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RICO

Criminal Defense Attorney For RICO In Indianapolis

Are you being investigated for RICO charges in Indianapolis? With these charges comes feelings of fear, stress and anxiety about the future. The penalties for RICO cases can be very severe and include paying huge fines and receiving a lengthy prison sentence. Since these legal matters can be incredibly complex, it is important to hire an experienced, aggressive defense attorney who will fight for your innocence. Patel Defense knows the complexities that accompany RICO cases in Indiana and will do everything possible to make sure you are treated fairly and justly.

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If you have been charged with RICO in Indianapolis, do not hesitate to contact Patel Defense for a FREE case evaluation.

317-643-5459

What Is RICO?

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that was created to target and combat organized crime. RICO was originally created to combat Mafia groups but has since expanded to organizations such as corrupt police and gangs. This law establishes severe penalties for those who participate in a series of transgressions associated with an organized criminal enterprise. RICO laws cover legal and illegal businesses. Racketeering activity encompasses a number of criminal offenses such as:

  • Money laundering
  • Conspiracy
  • Embezzlement
  • Fraud
  • Illegal gambling
  • Bribery
  • Prostitution
  • Labor violations
  • Robbery
  • Arson
  • Securities violations
  • Trafficking
  • Acts of terrorism, and many more

RICO involves a pattern of activity that is defined as two or more acts of racketeering within a ten year period. In order to qualify as a pattern, the criminal activities associated with racketeering must be related and continuous. To be considered related, the crimes must have similar characteristics such as the same perpetrators, victims and methods of commission. To be labeled as continuous, the crimes must have occurred over a substantial period of time; most courts define this as at least one year.

Defending Against RICO

Racketeering prosecutions and convictions revolve around very complicated legal matters. There are many ways in which an experienced RICO defense attorney can work to preserve your freedom and protect your rights. Some of the most common defenses to RICO include showing insufficient evidence, proving illegal or improper procedures during the investigation, showing lack of knowledge of the illegal activities, proving factual innocence, and many more. A creative RICO defense attorney will draft a solid defense strategy that creates holes and doubt in the prosecution’s case against you. Racketeering is a serious white collar crime and requires an experienced defense attorney who will fight on your behalf.

In order to be convicted of a crime associated with RICO, it must be established that the person was involved in a business enterprise that operates through a pattern of racketeering. This raises some important issues for those who are accused of racketeering associated with RICO. The first controversy that may arise is establishing what requires an enterprise. Legal businesses such as corporations and partnerships qualify as enterprises, but illegal businesses such as gangs are more difficult to establish. The Supreme Court has established that an enterprise can be any group with members who work together to achieve a common purpose.