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RICO

RICO Defense Lawyers in Alexandria

Defending Against Racketeering Charges in Virginia

If you or your organization is being accused of racketeering in Virginia or Washington D.C., do not wait to let Bynum & Jenkins Law defend you against serious federal allegations. Our Alexandria racketeering defense attorneys have 26 years of top-notch experience helping clients through the legal process, investigating their cases, determining all available legal defenses, and defending clients at trial or negotiating a favorable deal with investigators and prosecutors.

Call (703) 537-5522 or submit your info online to receive your free consultation with our racketeering defense lawyers in Alexandria today!

What is RICO?

To prosecute individuals and groups for organized criminal activity, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law, which makes participating in or making profit from organized illegal activity. Not only does RICO target organized criminals like members of the Mafia, but it also can charge legitimate businesses and corporations for engaging in criminal action.

Racketeering is derived from the term “racket,” which means an organized and illegal activity. As we mentioned above, racketeering covers any type of illegal action performed by a group or enterprise.

Common Types of Racketeering Offenses

According to RICO, it is a federal crime to do any one of the following:

  • Use money acquired or obtained through racketeering to establish or operate any business or organization
  • Conduct racketeering to obtain or operate an interest in any business or organization
  • Perform legal or illegal action of an enterprise by racketeering

What are the Penalties for Racketeering?

To convict someone under RICO, the prosecution must prove that there was a pattern of racketeering (ongoing criminal activity, rather than only one crime), a criminal enterprise was involved, and the illegal activity affected interstate commerce (e.g. money, good, people from one state to another). 

Each count of racketeering carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years (or life imprisonment if the predicate crime carries such a penalty), a fine of up to $250,000 or double the amount the defendant gained from the illegal profits, as well as civil lawsuits filed by any alleged victims.

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    In November 2024, I watched Mr. Jenkins cross-examine the Commonwealth of Virginia's most important witness against his client. (This was a high-profile case, and the media reports made it appear that his client had no chance to win.) The witness was a law enforcement officer.

    Because I cross-examine people for a living and I study my craft, I know stellar work.

    Mr. Jenkins's cross-examination was spectacular. He torpedoed the Commonwealth's case. He turned that witness into a witness for his client. Simply masterful.

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