Conspiracy & Organized Crime

Conspiracy, Racketeering, and other Organized Crime cases are serious criminal matters and carry severe penalties under Mississippi and federal law. If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense involving Conspiracy, Racketeering, or other Organized Crime, or you’re under investigation, Pascagoula - Gulfport criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley is ready to fight for your legal rights and defend your reputation.

 

Conspiracy Cases

 

Conspiracy is a criminal offense under both Mississippi and federal law. In general terms, a criminal conspiracy takes place when:

 

• 2 or more persons

• reach an agreement to break the law (the “object of the conspiracy”); and then

• 1 or more persons commits an act in furtherance of the agreement

 

Prosecutors can use Conspiracy to prosecute virtually any type of criminal activity involving multiple participants – including drugs, fraud, firearms, illegal gambling, and murder, to name just a few. Conspiracy cases typically have a “historical” component. That is, prosecutors rely on historical evidence such as statements from informants about past events; phone, text, and email forensic evidence; Title III wiretap recordings; and documents such as bank records and drug ledgers showing prior transactions. Federal prosecutors may take months or longer to build a conspiracy case involving multiple defendants.

 

Conspiracy cases are extremely serious crimes, and anyone charged with Conspiracy should immediately consult with a criminal defense lawyer skilled and experienced in defending against these unique cases. Depending on the facts and circumstances, defenses may be available.

 

Most conspiracy cases are filed in federal court due to their relative complexity. Unfortunately, some lawyers advise their clients to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges based on the false assumption that the federal government always wins. In truth, federal prosecutors don’t always win – and every federal conspiracy case should be individually evaluated for potential defenses. Pascagoula - Gulfport criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley has over two decades of experience defending against conspiracy cases and is ready to fight for your legal rights and defend your reputation.

 

Racketeering “RICO” Cases

 

Mississippi and federal prosecutors use criminal racketeering (“RICO”) laws to prosecute the alleged infiltration of legitimate businesses by organized crime and other illegal ventures. In general terms, RICO laws authorize prosecutors to charge alleged leaders of criminal organizations for crimes others commit in furtherance of the criminal organization. The crime of Conspiracy is inherent in racketeering activity, and RICO effectively expands the crime of Conspiracy to reach individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be deemed conspirators. RICO prosecutions can create significant risks for defendants, since prosecutors can charge RICO violations in addition to the underlying crimes that constitute the racketeering activity – and then impose cumulative punishments for each conviction. Nevertheless, despite the seriousness of RICO cases, defenses may be available.

 

Pascagoula criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley has over two decades of experience defending clients against organized crime allegations and is ready to fight for your legal rights and defend your reputation.

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