Racketeering

When dealing with RICO charges, the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney is a must. If convicted, you can be heavily fined and spend years in jail. To properly argue your case your attorney will need extensive knowledge of the Georgia RICO act and the experience that comes with years of trying these cases. Our attorneys have the skills you need and they are standing by to discuss the details of your case.

Georgia created its own statutory provision that is similar to the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act. Under this statute, a person or group using a pattern and practice of racketeering activities to acquire an interest in, maintain or protect an interest in, or control the practices of any business or property is in violation of the act. To put it simply, if you use illegal activities to fund an ongoing criminal enterprise then you can be brought up on RICO charges.

In the past it was but its scope has expanded to include much more. Now if you commit 2 or more illegal activities to fund a criminal organization within a ten-year span then you can be charged with a RICO violation.

Under the Georgia laws, there are acts that are required to demonstrate a pattern of racketeering activities. These are called “predicate acts”. In addition to the ones covered under federal law, Georgia law also recognizes the following predicate acts:

• Any actions involving making a profit from illegal immigration
• Acts of terrorism
• Drug trafficking
• Violation of the Georgia laws covering gambling, bribery, robbery, dealing in a controlled substance, extortion, arson, kidnapping, or murder.
• Actions that include embezzlement, counterfeiting, gambling, money-laundering, bribery, theft, or fraud.