Excerpt from Attorney Ralph Behr’s Book. Street Smarts- Criminal Law 1.01 – What is R.I.C.O (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act)?

CRIMES

50 ‘most charged’ crimes defined

R.I.C.O.

(Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act)

There are five specific facts which must be proved:

1. The defendant was associated with an “enterprise”.
2. The defendant knowingly and willfully committed, or aided, at least two predicate offenses.
3. That the two predicate offenses were connected with each other by some common scheme, plan or motive, so as to be a pattern of criminal activity.
4. The defendant conducted or participated in the enterprises’ affairs.