Baltimore Criminal Lawyers Key In Protecting Your Rights In RICO Defense
by Baltimore criminal defense attorney Brandon Mead
RICO, or The Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970, refers to very serious financial crimes related to organized crime syndicates in the United States. It is also referred to as racketeering. RICO charges are taken very seriously in Maryland due to the scope of laws broken and the number of victims each crime leaves behind.
If you, a friend, or a family member is charged under RICO statutes, then you need to understand what you are facing and what you can do about it.
A Brief History Of RICO
RICO began as a way to prosecute leaders of organized crime syndicates who get others to do the dirty work for them. Before RICO, many of the orchestrators could get away with their crimes while everyone who works for them, or with them, takes the heat. RICO closed related plausible deniability loopholes in established laws.
You can be charged with violating RICO statutes if you are involved in any of the following enterprises:
- Kidnapping
- Money laundering
- Embezzlement
- Drug trafficking
- Slavery
- Gambling
- Counterfeiting
This list is not exhaustive because RICO charges usually accompany other serious felony charges. Many states have used the Federal RICO statutes as a basis for its own, state-level RICO laws. Many states allow the federal government to take over when such charges are brought about.
Maryland And RICO Statutes
Maryland does not have specific RICO laws in the state, so they have the right to refer the prosecution of anyone who breaks such laws to be tried federally. Federal RICO consequences are very serious and unrelenting; it is essential to get those charges dropped and your case brought back down to the state where you can only be tried for the actual crimes that you committed.
The Federal government can send you to prison for anywhere up to twenty years for racketeering, based on the other charges involved. They may also require you to forfeit property, both tangible and intangible. They even have the right to disrupt your rights as a consequence of being found guilty of these charges.
You need to choose a Baltimore criminal attorney with experience in both Federal and state court systems. You need protection and quality care.
Defend Your Rights In Baltimore With Mead Law
The government has to prove that you have broken at least two RICO laws beyond doubt. There must be proof that you either directly invested in the scheme or that you actually got your hands dirty in its implementation. No matter what, you need aggressive and knowledgeable help to lessen or dismiss these charges.
Mead Law, P.A. has the experience you need and the compassion you seek to get through this difficult time. Contact us at (410) 727-6400 to schedule time with the best lawyers available to take on your case.
