People organize for various reasons; however, a common purpose for this action is to act for a common purpose. In many instances, organizing a group is lawful and considered beneficial for individuals and society. In other cases, organized individuals can be harmful and detrimental if the common purpose is to complete illegal acts. Organized crime can take on various shapes, one of which includes racketeering.
Racketeering is often associated with organized crime. It is a crime that includes the act of offering a dishonest service as a means to solve a problem that would not exist if it were not for the enterprise causing it. Various acts could be considered racketeering, as the RICO Act contains a list of 35 crimes.
An example of racketeering is when a group of people cut the tires on vehicle parked on a specific street. Then, when the owners notice this, the group offers protection to the owners of the vehicles for a certain price. This is a racket because the group caused the problem that they are attempting to solve for a profit.
Racketeering caries with it serious penalties. In fact, a conviction could result in an offender serving up to 20 years in prison and paying a fine up to $25,000. Thus, those accused of such a crime should understand how best to defend him or herself. A criminal defense strategy could help clear the name of the accused.
Whether a person commits a crime alone or with a group, criminal allegations should be taken seriously. Because the penalties can be harsh and life impacting, one should take the time to explore defense options. A criminal defense is the accused's best shot at clearing his or her name, helping to avoid criminal consequences.