Representing Clients Accused of Participating in Organized Crime
If you have been accused of participating in a criminal organization, you could be facing serious penalties under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a federal law that allows the government to prosecute people just for belonging to a particular group.
I am Sylvia A. Cavazos, a San Antonio racketeering defense attorney. I have been practicing criminal law in Texas since 1997, first as a prosecutor and now as a federal and state defense lawyer. If you have been charged with racketeering, I am prepared to protect your rights.
Understanding How RICO Works and How to Fight RICO Charges
Under RICO, if the government can prove that you are a member of an organization that has committed at least two of 35 different crimes — including murder, kidnapping, extortion, blackmail and robbery — within a 10-year period, you can be convicted of racketeering.
Since it was adopted in 1970, RICO has been used to prosecute alleged members of a wide range of organized crime groups, from prison gangs to white collar fraud conspiracies.
While RICO is a powerful tool for prosecutors, people charged with racketeering have the same rights as all other criminal defendants. The prosecution must prove your guilt to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, and your attorney must have an opportunity to create that doubt.
Del Rio RICO Attorney · Free One-Hour Consultation · 210-468-1130
If you are convicted of racketeering, you could be facing harsh penalties such as a prison sentence, substantial fines and asset forfeiture. To schedule a free one-hour consultation to discuss your criminal defense options, please contact my office at 210-468-1130 or by e-mail.
