Racketeer Influence And Corrupt Organizations Act Essay

503 Words3 Pages

Memorandum #2
To: Brother Packer
Form: Jordon Haderlie
Subject: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

I have chosen to look deeper into the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act because it is something that I don’t know much about. I have always wondered how things work when this law was taken into effect and so I will be exploring the law its self and then looking at cases where it was used. (1) The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is a law that the United States Government passed into law in 1970, this law would give greater penalties for organized crime. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act also allows for the bosses to be tied to the crimes that they others have done …show more content…

(2) “RICO law refers to the prosecution and defense of individuals who engage in organized crime. In 1970, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in an effort to combat Mafia groups. Since that time, the law has been expanded and used to go after a variety of organizations, from corrupt police departments to motorcycle gangs. RICO law should not be thought of as a way to punish the commission of an isolated criminal act. Rather, the law establishes severe consequences for those who engage in a pattern of wrongdoing as a member of a criminal …show more content…

(3) “The RICO Act provides both criminal and civil penalties. This means claims can be brought by prosecutors on behalf of the government, or by private individuals. In criminal prosecutions, the jury must be convinced of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest burden of proof that exists in the American legal system. Violations are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The sentence can be increased to life in prison if authorized by the underlying crime. Offenders also face a fine of either $250,000, or double the amount of the proceeds earned from the