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Are you facing charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act? These federal cases involve allegations of racketeering activities like extortion, money laundering, and bribery and require a tailored criminal defense strategy. At the David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys, our San Diego RICO lawyers are best equipped to help individuals and businesses accused of RICO violations and organized crime offenses.
We understand this powerful statute and the severe penalties at stake. Our RICO attorneys will scrutinize the prosecution’s case, protect your constitutional rights, and build a defense to fight the charges and avoid a conviction that could lead to steep fines and lengthy prison sentences. Don’t risk your future – contact us immediately if you’re under investigation or indicted for alleged RICO crimes.
RICO charges under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968 involve engaging in a pattern of criminal activities as part of an organized enterprise.
The RICO Act is a blanket federal law that targets illegal activities, including:
Both federal and state authorities can bring RICO charges, with federal offenses often carrying harsher penalties.
Legislators originally drafted RICO statutes to combat organized crime. However, the application of the RICO Act has expanded over the years to include a wide range of criminal activities.
In a nutshell, you cannot participate in or operate an enterprise that engages in “racketeering activity.”
This definition means for RICO charges to stick, prosecutors must prove the following:
The RICO Act applies to a wide range of criminal activities that constitute “racketeering.” This includes acts such as bribery, extortion, money laundering, kidnapping, arson, gambling, murder, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and offenses involving bankruptcy fraud or securities fraud.
To violate RICO laws, prosecutors must prove a “pattern” of racketeering activity by the defendant(s) as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise or conspiracy.
Racketeering activities covered by the RICO Act under the US Code include a variety of offenses, such as:
Allegations of racketeering are extremely serious. Our RICO defense lawyers in San Diego know how to safeguard your rights.
Criminal penalties under the RICO Act can include:
Our attorneys at David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys know the stakes are high. So, we mount individual defenses for every RICO charge against you.
Facing RICO charges requires a strategic defense from experienced criminal defense attorneys. At our firm, our San Diego RICO lawyers explore all potential defenses, including:
Our RICO defense team investigates the facts, scrutinizes the indictment, and mounts an effective defense. We are not intimidated by the broad scope of the RICO Act – our goal is to uphold your constitutional rights and avoid the severe penalties of a conviction. If you are under investigation or charged with racketeering crimes, contact us immediately.
The earlier your San Diego RICO lawyer gets involved in your case, the better your chances are of achieving a favorable outcome.
Early intervention allows your legal defense counsel to:
Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek legal help. Contact David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys when facing RICO charges in San Diego to protect your rights and build your defense.
Be sure to seek legal help when facing RICO charges. The sooner you contact David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys, the better our experienced RICO defense team will have to get ahead of the prosecution and build a strong strategy to defend against the RICO charges you are facing.
We offer private, confidential consultations to discuss your case and help you understand your options. Contact us today to take the first step toward protecting your future.
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in California, swift action is imperative. The penalties can be life altering and long lasting. Give us a call today to set up a case evaluation with one of our attorneys and learn how to best protect your freedom and future. Too often, we see clients who “wait and see,” unsure of the legal landscape ahead, only for charges to escalate. They then find themselves backpedaling into a bad defense and an even worse lawyer. Don’t let that happen to you. Protect your freedom. Protect your future. Know your rights.
The contents of this article are meant for informational and marketing purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the blog does not form an attorney-client relationship. No statements in this post are a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of a particular result in your case.
Here’s what you need to know to regain control of your future
You have questions. We have answers. Check out our answers to some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. Want more information or have a question not answered here about how you can regain control of your future if charged with a crime? Give us a call at (619) 295-3555.
The US Attorney brings federal RICO charges for prosecution in federal court, while the California Attorney General files RICO charges in Superior Court. Federal RICO penalties are usually more severe.
Possible defenses include challenging the alleged pattern of criminal activity, questioning the existence of an organized enterprise, and exposing weaknesses in the evidence linking you to the alleged crimes. David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys will develop a personalized defense strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case.
RICO litigation is complex and can take months or even years to resolve, depending on the facts and specific circumstances. Your defense counsel will work to achieve the best possible outcome as efficiently as possible.
“I came to David Shapiro to end my probation early and expunge my case. I had a very positive and very informative experience with him. David and his assistant Maria were excellent and always kept in the loop of what was going on.”
“Helping good people get their lives back is not just a catch phrase. They mean what they say and are serious about taking care of the client. Ally Keegan and the team at Law Office of David Shapiro are AMAZING! My charges for a 25 plus year old case were dismissed, it was not easy but I truly believe that if I had went with any other Law Firm that the outcome would have been very different. Thank you Ally for helping me get my life back!”
“I called many lawyers after I got my DUI. Stefano was the only lawyer who put my mind at ease and gave me a sense of relief. He constantly communicated with me about my case and laid out all my options. He was willing and able to do whatever he could to help me. He went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have used David 2 times in the past and he has by far exceeded my expectations. He has great knowledge and knows the system. He is straight forward and honest and somebody you can trust without doubt. I would recommend him to friends, family, and anybody that needs help. Best attorney I’ve ever come across.”
“Stefano Molea was extremely professional and consistently timely with responses to my questions. Most of all, Stefano was reliable. Stefano was diligent with discovery and always prepared and tenacious when relevant to the situation. Stefano is an attorney that you can count on for the best outcome. Thank you Stefano for all you did in my case. You’re so awesome!!!!”
“Ally was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her calm and reassuring demeanor was matched with her excellent knowledge, dedication, thoroughness. We unfortunately found ourselves in need of a criminal lawyer and we can without a doubt say that having Ally and her firm represent us from the beginning was the best choice we could have made.”
