Tampa Racketeering Lawyer
Illegal gambling rings, drug trafficking, money laundering, counterfeiting, and fraud are all crimes on their own that each carry significant penalties for those convicted of them. However, even more serious charges can occur if law enforcement has reason to believe that the defendant is part of an organized crime ring; racketeering is a federal and state offense, and offers prosecutors a significant advantage in achieving long incarceration terms. If you were arrested for racketeering, or are being investigated for playing a part in organized crime, a Tampa racketeering lawyer can help you understand your options. At the Matassini Law Firm, P.A., we work closely with our clients to develop a defense strategy that they are comfortable with, and one that provides the highest chance of success.
What is Racketeering?
The federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) was enacted in 1970 to combat the mafia. Over the years, prosecutors have successfully used the law to put countless offenders behind bars, most having nothing to do with the mafia or the type of “organized crime” that is reflected in Hollywood. Under the RICO Act, offenders can be prosecuted if they were part of a criminal enterprise and they were involved with two or more predicate acts within a ten-year-long period. The penalties for being convicted include up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000—for each RICO violation/predicate act. As such, defendants often face life in prison. Examples of predicate acts include:
- Embezzlement
- Drug trafficking
- Extortion
- Robbery
- Bribery
- Arson
- Theft
- Securities fraud
- Money laundering
- Homicide
- Human trafficking
- Illegal arms trade
- Kidnapping
- Fraud
- Cyber extortion
It should be noted that you do not have to be directly involved in carrying out any particular predicate crime to be convicted under the RICO Act, you merely have to be involved in the organization.
Florida’s RICO Law
Florida has its own law that state prosecutors can use to put defendants in prison. Florida’s law requires that the two or more predicate criminal acts occur within five years of each other. However, defendants face up to 30 years for each act, as opposed to 20 years if they are tried in federal court. Regardless of where you are being prosecuted, you need to understand the serious nature of the charges against you, and seek out an attorney who has real experience defending against these types of allegations.
Call a Tampa Racketeering Lawyer Today
Racketeering is a serious federal and state offense. RICO laws offer prosecutors a wildly advantageous tool to prosecute individuals such as yourself, and both federal and state prosecutors have high conviction rates when it comes to organized crime. Whether you believe that your case merits such a term or not, you need to prepare yourself for the difficult fight ahead. However, we encourage you to hold out hope. There are many defense strategies to the types of offenses of which you are being accused. Getting started soon on your specific defense gives you the best chance at achieving a successful outcome. Call a Tampa racketeering lawyer at The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. today at 813-217-5715 for a free consultation.
