New York, like many other jurisdictions, has strict penalties for racketeering. Those charged with racketeering may be subject to severe consequences such as hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, asset forfeiture, and restitution. A racketeering conviction will haunt you for the rest of your life. As such, it is in your best interest to retain the legal services of a seasoned Rockland County Criminal Defense Attorney who can help you understand your legal options. Please continue reading to learn about the potential penalties of racketeering in New York.
What is racketeering?
Racketeering involves obtaining or extorting money from another person or entity for illegal profit. It is imperative to understand that racketeering is not one specific crime. Instead, it refers to a sequence of organized unlawful activities of a criminal operation. Various crimes, from bribery to murder, can be classified under racketeering. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws make it a federal crime to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. Essentially, a pattern of racketeering activity refers to a criminal enterprise committing at least two or more crimes with the same or similar intent within ten years of each other. RICO violations aim to reduce organized crime by enabling prosecutors to consolidate a criminal enterprise’s various illegal activities into a single prosecution.
What are the potential criminal penalties in New York?
Racketeering can be prosecuted at the state or federal level. In New York, depending on the specific circumstances of the criminal acts, you could face a decade of prison time, steep fines, asset forfeiture, and restitution. If you are charged with a Class B non-violent felony for enterprise corruption, you will face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, and the court could order that you forfeit every cent of the money you benefited from. If you are charged with a Class A-1 felony for aggravated enterprise corruption, you are looking at a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life without parole. Additionally, the court ordered that you pay triple the gross loss caused by restitution.
Are there civil remedies for racketeering?
Most people do not know that RICO violations permit private citizens to pursue civil lawsuits in addition to criminal prosecutions. However, this is only when private citizens have suffered significant financial damages to their business or property due to racketeering.
As you can see, racketeering is a severe crime with significant penalties that will upend your life. Contact a qualified attorney from the Law Office of Carl Spector to maximize your chances of achieving the best possible outcome. Our firm is prepared to represent your interests. Our firm is prepared to safeguard your rights and interests.
