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RICO/Racketeering Defense Lawyers 

Charlotte NC

Helping Clients Navigate RICO Charges

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RICO/Racketeering Defense Lawyers

Helping Clients Navigate RICO Charges

A scale of justice is sitting on a wooden table next to a gavel.

The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, is a federal statute ratified in 1970 that sought to criminalize corruption. Though it was originally instituted to battle organized crime, the law gives federal prosecutors wide-reaching abilities to harshly pursue and punish individuals and organizations in both civil and criminal matters. In modern times, RICO charges are often filed against those accused of running drug-based enterprises, street gangs, and even compromised government departments, including politicians and law enforcement.


North Carolina also has its own set of racketeering laws. Their scope is similarly broad, with the state having the ability to bring charges against for-profit schemes enabling many types of crimes.


Whether you face state or federal charges, racketeering accusations can quickly upend your life and lead to a costly legal battle. Government agencies tend to aggressively prosecute racketeering cases, necessitating the need for experienced legal representation. Our Charlotte racketeering defense lawyers at Oakhurst Legal Group are  prepared to mount the vigorous defense you will need. We can evaluate the facts of the situation and the evidence the prosecution plans to exploit before building a case that works to exonerate your involvement  in any of the alleged offenses.

Schedule a free consultation to see how we can help you fight racketeering charges. Call 704-243-8178 or contact us online today.

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Laws Surrounding Federal RICO Charges

It is important to understand that RICO is an extremely complex and at times overwhelming statute. You should not attempt to navigate RICO charges alone.


To violate the RICO statute, you will need to have engaged in repeated acts defined as racketeering in connection with some sort of enterprise. Specifically, for a RICO charge to succeed, the defendant will need to have committed a minimum of 2 crimes through the enterprise within the past 10 years.

Criminal offenses that fall under the umbrella of racketeering for the purposes of RICO include:

  • Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Arson
  • Drug trafficking
  • Bribery
  • Illegal gambling
  • Mail fraud
  • Wire fraud

Common examples of criminal enterprises include:

  • Corporations 
  • Street gangs
  • Drug cartel
  • Crime family
  • Political party

To successfully file a RICO civil suit, the claimant must prove:

  • Criminal offenses take place. There must be ample evidence that at least one racketeering crime took place. Courts tend to heavily scrutinize accusations of fraud.
  • A pattern of criminal behavior exists. Like in criminal RICO cases, at least two racketeering crimes must have been committed. They must also either be continuous, having been conducted over a period of a year or more, or related in some material way.
  • The criminal behavior took place within the statute of limitations. An alleged victim has 4 years from the date they discovered their injuries to file a RICO claim.


Our Charlotte racketeering defense attorneys are prepared to defend you from criminal and civil RICO charges. We understand the intricacies of RICO law and can aggressively fight to prove your innocence, avoiding significant fines and jailtime.

Get the legal support you deserve

Schedule a free, confidential consultation by calling 704-243-8178 or contacting us online. We offer our legal services in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish,  and Russian.

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Why You Should Always Hire a Lawyer to Fight Criminal Charges

Laws Surrounding North Carolina Racketeering

North Carolina is one of several states to have their own set of racketeering laws distinct from RICO. Many of their statutes are similar to federal guidelines.


Like with RICO, North Carolina can choose to charge an individual with  racketeering if they are suspected to have two qualifying offenses in connection with a criminal enterprise. Racketeering offenses also mirror RICO and include arson, bribery, kidnapping, illegal gambling, and more.


It is important to recognize that someone can be accused of racketeering  even if they only facilitated transactions in service of a criminal enterprise. This act qualifies as money laundering, a criminal offense that falls under the racketeering categorization.

Get the Legal Support You Need

Whether you are facing a criminal or civil suit, federal RICO or state-level racketeering charges are not something you should face without qualified legal representation. Our Charlotte racketeering defense lawyers at Oakhurst Legal Group will work closely with you to understand the full scope of your case and identify innovative legal strategies that can protect your future. We are passionate about helping our clients overcome whatever  charges they face and will do whatever it takes to clear your name.

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