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RICO Lawyer

Anyone charged with civil or criminal violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Ac, should contact an experienced Rico Lawyer for help cultivating your case. Originally enacted in 1970 to deter organized crime, the RICO Act is so broadly worded that it is now used to prosecute any fraudulent or illegal business dealings. RICO violations are currently more often alleged in cases of typical white collar crime than in association with any organized crime. White collar crimes such as mail fraud and wire fraud are frequently prosecuted in conjunction with the RICO Act. Being charged with a RICO violation is a serious offense subject to harsh civil and criminal penalties. To protect the reputation of an individual, business, or organization accused of RICO violations, the accused should swiftly hire a qualified RICO lawyer.

How Can a RICO Attorney Help?

A RICO attorney is one who is knowledgeable about all aspects of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970. Any leader of a crime syndicate, legitimate business, or organization who is accused of racketeering may be tried for violation of the RICO Act. Notorious RICO cases involve defendants such as Sonny Barger and the Oakland Chapter of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club; organized crime leaders James "Whitey" Bulger and the Winter Hill Gang, the Gambino crime Family, and Frank "Funzi" Tieri and the Genovese crime family, and the Latin Kings; financier Michael Milligan; the Key West Police Department; Major League Baseball; and even several Catholic diocese. Though the term "RICO" frequently brings to mind criminal investigations involving the mob, racketeering charges can relate to almost any illegal or fraudulent business venture. An attorney intimately familiar with the RICO Act and white collar law can launch a skillful defense against allegations of racketeering or fraud.

What Cases Do RICO Lawyers Handle?

RICO Lawyers handle the defense of those individuals or organization accused of racketeering or other violations of the RICO Act. Racketeering activity is defined by law to include:

  • Gambling
  • Counterfeiting
  • Bribery
  • Extortion
  • Embezzlement
  • Fraud
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Money Laundering
  • Murder or Murder for Hire
  • Bankruptcy Fraud
  • Securities Fraud

In order for one to be found guilty of a RICO violation, the prosecution must demonstrate a "pattern of racketeering," meaning that the defendant committed at least two acts of racketeering within ten years of each other. A skillful defense attorney can help disprove one or more conditions of a racketeering allegation, helping his or her client to avoid conviction or civil liability for RICO violations.

Experienced RICO Attorneys for Your Defense

Our experienced RICO attorneys are led by federal criminal defense lawyer David Benowitz. Attorney Benowitz is widely recognized as a top federal lawyer, having received a perfect AVVO rating and the highest rating of AV by Martindale Hubbell. Our criminal lawyers have a reputation for success, having effectively defended hundreds of clients charged with federal white collar crimes.

Call David Benowitz Today

For more information about RICO defense and white collar criminal charges, or to schedule a free consultation of your case, call David Benowitz at (202) 600-9900.

For more information on the RICO act and the charges associated with it, you can read about it on Wikipedia.