The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, is a federal law used to prosecute individuals connected to an enterprise that engages in racketeering activities that may affect interstate commerce. The RICO Act was created in 1970 to combat...
Federal Crimes
7 Ways Police Officers Overstep Their Bounds
Law enforcement plays a vital role in society, maintaining order and ensuring public safety. However, instances exist where police officers may infringe on individuals' rights by overstepping their bounds. Understanding these situations is crucial for self-protection...
What is the federal False Statements Accountability Act of 1996?
Those facing federal prosecution stand accused of breaking the laws of the United States rather than the laws of Louisiana or another state. Their charges may involve allegations that they engaged in questionable interstate transactions or the use of key federal...
When might a case be prosecuted federally?
The U.S. court systems are complex, and there is often confusion when it comes to understanding what qualifies as a federal case. Knowing the differences between state, local, and federal cases can be vital in protecting your legal rights. Federal charges Generally,...
What you say (or don’t say) to federal agents can lead to charges
When people talk about breaking the law, they mostly focus on state statutes, like speed limits or laws against shoplifting. However, some individuals will face prosecution not from state government entities but the federal government. Numerous circumstances can lead...
Criminal penalties for SOX Act violations can be significant
The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act was enacted nearly 20 years ago, in 2002, in the wake of the Enron and other corporate scandals. These scandals involved executives, with the help of their accountants, overstating their assets, hiding liabilities and otherwise...
What is “federal conspiracy” and is it serious?
You have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking. You argue that you never transported the drugs, so you should be innocent. The police in your community may not listen to you-instead they bring in federal law enforcement. Now, you may be pretty worried. Even...
There’s no such thing as a white lie during federal investigation
People often take little liberties in how they answer questions or speak to one another. For example, if your boss asks how many hours per week you spend actively working, you don't want to admit that you spend an hour checking social media at your desk every day, so...
What is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)?
The RICO Act is a federal law that was passed in 1970 to combat organized crime and is abbreviated as "RICO." Traditionally, organized crime brings to mind the Mafia for which it was created. However, RICO has evolved over the years and has been applied to a variety...
You can be tried in state and federal court for the same crime
Some actions violate both state law and federal law. That means it’s possible to try a defendant in both state court and federal court for the same offense if prosecutors choose to do so. Typically, federal prosecutors won’t use their resources to try someone if...