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Not only are you an excellent attorney, but a good person who truly cared about me and always did your best to help me. I am so grateful for being given a second chance. —TomDave Shrager successfully lobbied for my felony charge to be completely withdrawn. His services were worth every dime. A highly personable, intelligent, and competent attorney, I would recommend Dave Shrager to my closest friends and family without hesitation. —RonDave knows the system better than any lawyer in Pittsburgh due to his family's local and long-standing practice, and it was evident in the positive manner in which the judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers responded to Dave's arguments on my behalf. —JimI cannot say thank you enough to David Shrager for all his help today! If it were not for this guy, I would no longer have a job or drivers license. So thanks again Dave, you're the best! —BillI was in a bad place in my life...I was making bad decisions, which led to my having a really bad night and lots of legal trouble. I'm lucky I had Attorney David Shrager at my side. He helped guide me, with his legal expertise, through a very difficult time in my life. —Tamika
Call 412-969-2540 to Speak Directly with Attorney David Shrager 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

RICO Attorney – Pittsburgh

If you have been charged with RICO violations or think you may be facing criminal racketeering charges, you probably have many questions. These types of charges are extremely serious and, if convicted, usually come with lengthy prison terms and large fines.

Depending on whether the racketeering charges were brought against you at the state level or at the federal level will play a big factor in your defense. Federal racketeering convictions have more severe penalties than state convictions.

It is important that if you are facing federal RICO charges or think you may be soon, that you speak with an experienced federal crime attorney who is adept and successful in handling these types of cases.

At Shrager Defense Attorneys, we handle both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Corrupt Organizations Act (COA) charges and U.S. Federal RICO charges.

Our skilled Pittsburgh criminal attorneys have years of experience in aggressively defending and winning high-profile cases for our clients. We are compassionate to your situation and that of your family and loved ones. Our RICO lawyers will do everything to fight for your freedom and your rights.

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for RICO charges or Pennsylvania COA charges, call David J. Shrager for a free legal consultation.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR RICO VIOLATIONS
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

WHAT IS RICO?

Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 

RICO, which stands for Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, is a United States federal law passed in 1970. It was originally intended to combat organized crime but encompasses several types of crimes in which a pattern of criminal activity is suspected.

Liability under RICO requires an individual to be involved with an enterprise or group of people operating with the intention of profiting from criminal activity of which a pattern of two or more related crimes have been committed within a ten year period.

“Racketeering activity” under RICO can includes 35 types of crimes from bribery and theft to murder and violations of state laws pertaining to controlled substances or violations of federal drug trafficking laws.

RICO can be used to prosecute a wide spectrum of crimes including:

PENALTIES FOR RICO VIOLATIONS

A RICO conviction comes with severe penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 and 20 years in prison if you are convicted. In addition, you may also have to forfeit the alleged “ill-gotten gains” and your possessions could also be seized if they are traced back to illegal activity.

The government also has the right to freeze assets before the case goes to trial.

In order to be convicted, the jury must find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR RICO VIOLATIONS
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

CIVIL RICO CHARGES

In addition to U.S. Criminal RICO charges, you may also face Civil RICO charges. If a person has been harmed or injured due to a RICO violation, they or their family may seek damages in a civil suit. The amount of collected damages has no cap, although there is a four year statute of limitations for plaintiffs to file charges.

It is possible for plaintiffs to recover treble damages, which means they can be awarded up to three times the amount of money they lost due to the criminal activity.

RICO VIOLATIONS AND DRUG CRIMES

If you are suspected of drug trafficking, federal investigators may try to indict you on racketeering charges. Under RICO violations, if you are suspected of committing two or more crimes within a ten year period, you can be charged with racketeering.

Crimes can include drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud as well as other types criminal activity.

If you have been indicted on RICO charges or think you are under investigation, it is important to have an aggressive and skilled Pittsburgh drug attorney on your side.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR RICO VIOLATIONS
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

FEDERAL LAWS PERTAINING TO RACKETEERING

U.S. prosecutors use several federal laws to try to convict alleged criminal activity. These include:

PENNSYLVANIA’S CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT

Under Pennsylvania law “racketeering” refers to any one or more persons receiving money by being engaged in continuous criminal activity. It is similar to federal RICO laws in that a pattern of criminal activity (two or more crimes) must be suspected in order for a person to be indicted.

Charges for racketeering fall under Pennsylvania’s Corrupt Organizations Act (COA)

Crimes pertaining to racketeering in Pennsylvania can include:

  • Homicide
  • Human trafficking
  • Kidnapping
  • Gambling
  • Bookmaking
  • Loan sharking
  • Sale of illegal drugs
  • Theft
  • Fraud

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT

A conviction for violating Pennsylvania’s Corrupt Organizations Act is a first-degree felony. Maximum incarceration is 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

For a first offense, you face a minimum of nine months in prison. However, you may be charged for multiple counts depending on the criminal activity, extending the sentencing significantly.

If you have been charged under PA’s Corrupt Organizations Act or think you are under investigation, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced and aggressive Pittsburgh Federal Crime Lawyer as soon as possible.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR RICO VIOLATIONS
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

WHEN FACING RACKETEERING CHARGES

As experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyers, our team will vehemently challenge the evidence against you in order to build a strong case to prove your innocence or to negotiate a plea deal, if you feel that would be in your best interest.

Shrager Defense Attorneys has been handling high profile cases for over 50 years. Our U.S. federal attorneys have the experience and to fight RICO charges and complex racketeering charges.

We will aggressively combat U.S. government investigations and indictments and prepare a sound case and strategic defense based on how the government structures its case against you.

Remember: Being charged with a crime does not mean you will be proven guilty. Many defenses exist such as a lack of evidence or lack of “pattern of racketeering activity”. Other defenses include duress, withdrawal or entrapment.

When you are faced with racketeering charges, your future is at stake. You will want to hire an attorney who is not only the most knowledgeable about RICO and racketeering laws, but one who is compassionate and cares about your situation, your family and your rights.

David J. Shrager offers free legal consultation via his personal cell phone — you can phone or text him 24/7 about your case at 412-969-2540.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR RICO VIOLATIONS
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

_______________________

FREE Legal Consultation

Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.