Are you facing RICO charges in Texas? If so, you might be wondering if it’s possible to beat a RICO charge. These allegations are serious, and the penalties for a conviction are severe. However, RICO charges do not necessarily have to result in convictions, especially when you have an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Attorneys at Vinas & Graham, PLLC, defend clients who have been charged with federal crimes in Texas, including RICO violations. We know that our clients rely on our legal skills and dedication, and we are committed to providing them with unmatched legal services. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.
What Are RICO Charges?
RICO stands for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. RICO laws were enacted in 1970 to combat organized crime by giving prosecutors the authority to charge leaders of an organization with crimes that they ordered others to commit. This act was created to make it easier to take down criminal organizations by prosecuting members of criminal enterprises for racketeering activities even if they did not carry out the illegal offenses.
Today, RICO laws are used to prosecute a wide variety of criminal activities, such as money laundering, bribery, witness tampering, trafficking, theft, murder, and fraud. In general, to prove RICO charges, prosecutors must demonstrate the following:
- An enterprise existed,
- The enterprise impacted interstate commerce,
- The defendant was associated with the enterprise, and
- Participated in or conducted a pattern of racketeering activity within the enterprise
As you can see, a RICO charge does not involve only one type of criminal activity.
Defenses To A RICO Charge
As mentioned above, RICO charges do not automatically become convictions. You have the right to a fair trial and are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Depending on your case circumstances, you may be able to raise one or more defenses. For example, your attorney might argue that the prosecution does not have enough evidence to support a conviction.
Another common defense to RICO charges is that there was no criminal enterprise. It can be argued that a loose association of alleged criminals does not meet the definition of a criminal enterprise.
When investigating your case, your attorney will also examine law enforcement conduct to determine if your rights were violated. If so, evidence collected in violation of your constitutional rights may be thrown out by the judge in your case.
Other defenses include mistaken identity, no pattern of racketeering activity, no impact on interstate commerce, or you were not associated with the enterprise. Even if you believe that prosecutors have the evidence they need for a conviction, your attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to work out a potential plea bargain in your favor.
Contact A Houston RICO Charge Defense Attorney
Houston RICO charge defense attorneys at Vinas & Graham, PLLC, have more than 30 years of legal experience in federal and state criminal law matters. They have dedicated their careers to helping clients fight for their innocence and freedom.
Contact us here or at 713-229-9992 for a no-cost and no-obligation consultation. We will go over your charges and help you pursue the best possible outcome in your case. Follow us on Facebook to learn more about our law firm and the cases we handle.
