RICO And Gang Charges Defense Attorney In Augusta
Both state and federal prosecutors are highly aggressive in pursuing criminal charges against criminal organizations and enterprises. There are many complicated tools that they use to do this, none more impactful than RICO laws. If you’ve been targeted in a RICO case, the stakes against you are sky high, but I can help you manage it.
My name is Pete Theodocion. I began my career as a federal prosecutor, but for the last 25-plus years, I’ve been a defense attorney for people in Augusta. RICO charges and gang activity charges are serious, with long penalties. However, I can defend you in these cases, building on my experience on both sides of these issues. I’m ready to help you fight.
What Is A RICO Charge?
RICO is an acronym for the Racketeering Influenced, Corrupt Organizations Act, which is the law that helps law enforcement pursue all aspects of a criminal organization. This is a federal law, and it is a complex law to understand. It allows all members of a criminal organization to be pursued for crimes committed by only a few members.
All it takes to face potential RICO charges is to draw a connection between all the individuals through financial or social evidence. If a connection can be proved, then all members of the organization can face charges if a few engage in racketeering actions such as:
- Bribery
- Fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Drug trafficking
- Money laundering
- Murder
The law’s ability to go after all parts of a criminal organization is why it is a major threat to you.
The Difference Between Federal And State Criminal Conspiracy Charges
The original RICO law is a federal statute, but Georgia has its own version also called RICO. The federal statute is often used to pursue large organized criminal enterprises that cross state lines, including drug cartels and mafia. The Georgia law focuses solely on such enterprises that occur within Georgia. However, Georgia law is much broader.
The scope of activities that can lead to a racketeering charge is longer than the federal list, and the scope of them can be applied not just to a group, but to an individual. Primarily, the groups that are most closely affected by these charges are street-level gangs.
Gang Enhancements
In addition to the RICO targeting of gang members, assuming connection between all members of an organization with the illegal actions of a few, Georgia law also has specific enhancements to crimes involving gang activity. Tied to the state’s Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act, any charge related to “gang activity” is enhanced, with a potential sentence of between five and 20 years for a first offense.
The Problem With Guilt By Association
RICO charges at the state and federal level are essentially the codified version of guilt by association. That is a problematic legal reality for many people, as the proof of an organization can be relatively thin. The government will work to build a case that each individual in an organization has connections, personal, financial, social and so on to build this large web.
The web of RICO charges is tenuous. While it requires all members of the organization to have knowledge of the criminal actions. The law does not see the difference between association and actual criminal actions; all it will see is the connection between you and the rest of the group.
You Are Not Alone In This Fight
While the crux of a RICO charge is about who you associate with, it doesn’t mean that you need to see the next part alone. The negative connotations of people facing these charges are well known, but I’m not afraid to stand with you in fighting for your freedom and future.
It is my job to take on the difficulties facing your rights and fight for a better outcome. Reach out today to learn more about my firm and how I will help you. Call 706-250-8762 or send an email using this form.