Racketeering Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA Specializing in Comprehensive Legal Advocacy in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Throughout Southern California
If you’re facing racketeering charges, the prosecutor believes you can be found guilty of illegal activity in connection with some sort of organized criminal enterprise. Whether the acts you’re accused of include fraud, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, or violent crimes, your best hope for an effective defense is with a Los Angeles racketeering lawyer dedicated to developing your legal strategy.
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our team of seasoned defense attorneys fights a full range of federal charges. With the skills to represent you against all types of racketeering allegations and a commitment to securing the most favorable outcome possible, you can count on our firm to prepare the legal strategy you need. Contact us today for a free, confidential initial consultation.
Understanding Federal Racketeering Charges in California
Unlike relatively clear-cut offenses like theft or violent crimes, racketeering is often a challenging charge to interpret. You may not even know what exactly you are charged with having done. Attempting to make sense of the evidence the prosecution plans to use against you can leave you with more questions than answers.
Don’t underestimate the difference that a racketeering defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, can make in your situation. Our firm provides clear, reliable guidance throughout the legal process, representing you in all proceedings and simplifying the complicated criminal justice system. We dig deep into the case against you and the complex nuances of federal statutes to understand your case from every angle and begin developing your defense.
Federal Laws Against Racketeering
Racketeering is a violation of federal law, and as such, it’s a serious criminal offense.
RICO Act Violations
The federal law under which defendants accused of racketeering are typically charged with violating is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The RICO Act, which encompasses all of Chapter 96 of Title 18 of the United States Code— Sections 1961-1968—is Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.
This federal statute (under Section 1961 of Title 18 of the United States Code) defines racketeering activity as acts or threats in the service or operations of a criminal enterprise that encompass the following, among other activities:
- Fraud, including mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and fraud in connection with identification documents and access devices
- Unlawful welfare fund payments
- Bribery, including sports bribery
- Illegal gambling, including offenses such as unlawful transmission of gambling information and interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia
- Counterfeiting and trafficking in counterfeit goods
- Interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and other types of stolen property
- Forgery or false use of passport
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Unlawful debt collection
- Economic espionage
- Robbery
- Felony theft from interstate shipments
- Theft of trade secrets
- Criminal copyright infringement
- Drug dealing or trafficking
- Firearms trafficking
- Dealing in obscene matter
- Human trafficking
- Sexual exploitation of children
- Arson
- Kidnapping
- Murder, including using interstate commerce facilities to commit murder for hire
- Obstruction of justice or criminal investigations
- Tampering with or retaliating against witnesses
Dozens of criminal offenses may be considered racketeering activities if a pattern of such offenses occur in relation to the operations or activities of a corrupt or criminal enterprise. Enterprises can encompass not only gangs, cartels, and illegal drug and gambling rings but also legal corporations, partnerships, and associations that are engaging in patterns of unlawful conduct or acquiring illicit profits through illegal activities.
Section 1962 of Title 18 of the United States Code further establishes that it is unlawful to interfere in interstate commerce or foreign commerce through racketeering activities or to acquire control of or interest in enterprises known to engage in racketeering activities.
Racketeering and Conspiracy to Commit Violent Crimes Laws
Additionally, Section 1959 of Title 18 of the United States Code establishes the crime of conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity. This statute identifies offenses such as the following, when conducted for an enterprise engaged in racketeering activities, as violations of conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of racketeering:
- Assault with a dangerous weapon
- Assault, with or without a weapon, that results in serious bodily injury
- Kidnapping
- Maiming
- Murder
- Threats of violent acts of any kind
- Attempts to commit a violent crime of any kind
The violent act may be performed for payment, acceptance into the organization, or maintaining or increasing one’s position within the enterprise.
Establishing the Elements of a Racketeering Charge
To secure a conviction on a racketeering charge, a federal prosecutor must establish the following elements:
- The existence of a criminal enterprise in service of which the racketeering activities were conducted
- A pattern of criminal acts that indicate and relate to the unlawful operations of this enterprise
- Your direct or indirect participation in the enterprise’s unlawful activities
A criminal enterprise that satisfies this element of the offense of racketeering may include both legal entities, such as partnerships, associations, and corporations, and groups of individuals that do not constitute legal entities, such as gangs, cartels, and illegal gambling rings.
Penalties for Federal Racketeering Offenses
The reason it’s so important to retain a skilled Los Angeles racketeering lawyer to defend you is that the consequences of a racketeering conviction are life-altering. You’re facing the long-term loss of your freedom.
For all violations of this statute, fines may be imposed either instead of or in addition to prison terms. Federal felonies are generally punishable by fines of up to $250,000 under Section 3571 of Title 18 of the United States Code, with certain offenses carrying even higher fines.
RICO Act Violation Sentences
Under Section 1963 of Title 18 of the United States Code, violations of the RICO Act can result in up to 20 years of imprisonment. Certain racketeering offenses, such as murder and kidnapping, are punishable by life imprisonment. Additionally, a conviction can result in forfeiture of property or interest in an enterprise engaged in racketeering activities or unlawful debt collection.
Consequences of Convictions for Violent Racketeering Crimes
For a violation of Section 1959 of Title 18 of the United States Code, the penalty depends on the severity of the violent offense. Threats not accompanied by actual attempts to commit acts of violence can result in prison sentences of up to five years. An attempted assault or maiming can lead to a five-year sentence, while attempted murder or kidnapping is punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years.
If the violent act is actually committed, and not merely threatened or attempted, the consequences are harsher. For an assault that either results in serious bodily injury or is committed with a dangerous weapon, a conviction could lead to up to 20 years of imprisonment. Maiming in the aid of racketeering services is an offense punishable by up to 30 years. For kidnapping in connection with racketeering, you could face up to life imprisonment. Murder perpetrated in the service of racketeering is punishable by life imprisonment or death.
How The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Can Help You Defend Against Federal Racketeering Charges
When you’re facing federal racketeering charges, law enforcement and prosecutors typically have considerable evidence against you. You need a strong defense strategy to challenge their arguments, dissect the evidence against you, and expose any shortcomings or inaccuracies in their case.
At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our team is committed to exploring every avenue for building a successful defense. Some strategies we may explore include:
- Providing evidence that shows that you were not involved in the enterprise or its unlawful activities or that you voluntarily withdrew from the enterprise before the activities in question took place
- Establishing your lack of knowledge of illegal activity or lack of intent to participate in a criminal or corrupt enterprise
- Challenging the prosecution’s assertions that a pattern of racketeering activities occurred in connection with the enterprise
- Identifying rights violations and improper police procedures and motioning to get unlawfully obtained evidence against you suppressed
- Highlighting all of the ways in which the prosecution falls short of proving the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the standard required to secure a conviction
By crafting an effective defense, our firm helps clients get racketeering charges dropped or downgraded, present strong defense arguments at court to attain not-guilty verdicts, and advocate for lighter sentences if convicted.
Why You Need a Dedicated Racketeering Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA
With six-figure fines and decades-long prison sentences potentially on the line, you need to fight federal racketeering charges with every resource you’ve got. Attempting to represent yourself or relying on an overburdened public defender would leave you without crucial advantages that can help you obtain the most favorable resolution possible. You need on your side legal counsel that is:
- Dedicated to fighting for your best interests
- Committed to ensuring fair treatment and full protections under the law
- Equipped to bring a full array of professional resources to the investigation of your case and the development of your defense strategy
- Prepared to stand by your side throughout every stage of the legal process and represent you in all proceedings
- Ready to analyze every detail of your case from every possible angle to identify strengths on which to base your defense and weaknesses that can be proactively addressed
Your choice of attorney is the one opportunity available to you now to influence how the case against you proceeds. Don’t take any chances—choose a law firm with a history of defending against complex federal charges.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney as Your Los Angeles Racketeering Lawyer?
For a Los Angeles racketeering lawyer you can count on, turn to The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney. Our highly experienced team of attorneys has the skill to defend against complex federal charges, and we focus on providing accessible representation and comprehensive guidance.
Experience Winning Complex, High-Stakes Cases
A racketeering charge is high-stakes and often high-profile. When the pressure is on, our team is ready to take on the challenge of fighting for you. We have more than 100 years of combined experience in legal practice, and we draw on the skills our team has developed to secure favorable outcomes in complex cases through both skillful negotiations and aggressive courtroom representation.
A Commitment to Making Skilled Criminal Defense Services Accessible
Our firm is dedicated to ensuring that all defendants facing racketeering charges have the opportunity to secure the professional counsel they need. We are available 24/7 to assist clients with urgent matters and feature multilingual counsel to ensure language barriers won’t stand in the way of getting help. Our firm provides free, confidential consultations, analyzing the specific facts of your situation so we can help you consider all of the options available to you.
Comprehensive Guidance Throughout the Legal Process
Facing criminal proceedings alone is scary and stressful, but we’re here to defend you every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered service, focusing on responsive communication that gives you peace of mind during a difficult situation. We’ll answer your questions and ensure you can approach the legal process with as much confidence as possible.
Contact a Los Angeles Racketeering Lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today for a Free Consultation
Don’t make the mistake of assuming this legal trouble will blow over or that federal prosecutors have more urgent cases to pursue. Racketeering is a serious violation that is often prosecuted harshly to make an example of those accused of carrying out illegal and sometimes violent activities in service of organized crime enterprises. You need a strong, dedicated defense attorney on your side as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building an effective legal strategy.
For help from a racketeering defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call 818-330-5198 today.
