Racketeering / RICO Defense in Northern Virginia

Former Prosecutors & Public Defenders. 200+ Trials. Full RICO Defense.

King, Campbell, Poretz, and Mitchell has defended clients in Northern Virginia against state and federal charges since 2008. Our team brings over 100 combined years of professional experience, including former prosecutors and public defenders who have handled these matters at every stage.

Joseph King has served as counsel or co-counsel in more than 200 trials, including cases involving allegations of murder in aid of racketeering. That direct experience with the violent end of the RICO statute, combined with our attorneys’ extensive federal white-collar backgrounds, means we can defend the full range of conduct these charges can reach.

Racketeering investigations and indictments move fast. Call King, Campbell, Poretz, and Mitchell at (703) 468-8557 to discuss your situation in a confidential consultation before your options narrow.

How Federal RICO Works

Federal RICO originates from 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968, enacted in 1970 as part of the Organized Crime Control Act. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove three things: the existence of an enterprise, a pattern of racketeering activity, and a connection to interstate or foreign commerce.

An “enterprise” under federal law is broadly defined. It includes formal organizations, informal associations-in-fact, and even legitimate businesses used as a vehicle for criminal conduct. A “pattern of racketeering activity” requires proof of at least two predicate acts within a 10-year period. Critically, a defendant can face RICO conspiracy liability by agreeing to participate in the enterprise’s pattern of racketeering activity, even without personally committing any predicate act.

Virginia’s Racketeering Statute

Racketeering charges can be brought under Virginia state law or the federal statute, depending on the conduct alleged and which jurisdiction proceeds. Virginia has its own law: the Virginia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, codified at Va. Code §§ 18.2-512 through 18.2-517.

Under Virginia law, an “enterprise” includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, business trusts, criminal street gangs, and any group of three or more individuals associated for a criminal purpose. The penalties are serious. A first racketeering conviction under Va. Code § 18.2-515 is a felony carrying 5 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. A second or subsequent conviction is a Class 2 felony, with fines reaching $2 million. State-level racketeering charges in Northern Virginia are heard in the Fairfax County Circuit Court, Arlington County Circuit Court, Loudoun County Circuit Court, and Prince William County Circuit Court, which also serves Manassas.

Federal RICO Penalties & the Eastern District of Virginia

A federal RICO conviction carries a maximum of 20 years per count, or life imprisonment if any underlying predicate offense carries a potential life sentence. Fines can reach $250,000 or double the illegal proceeds, and asset forfeiture can be part of federal prosecution. Civil RICO claims, which allow private parties to seek treble damages, are also litigated in this district and require proof of a domestic injury.

Northern Virginia federal cases are prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia’s Alexandria Division, which sits at the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse. This court is widely known as the “Rocket Docket” because it moves cases toward trial faster than most federal courts in the country. That pace shortens the window for defense preparation, discovery review, and pretrial motions.

Our Approach to Racketeering Defense

Former prosecutor and public defender experience shape how we read a RICO case. We understand how the government builds these charges and where the weaknesses tend to appear. Our attorneys work collaboratively on every matter, so clients benefit from the whole team’s perspective rather than a single attorney working in isolation. Clients have direct access to their representing attorney throughout.

Joseph King’s federal criminal defense work spans honest services fraud, illegal kickbacks and bribery, mortgage fraud, health care fraud, and wire fraud. These are the categories that appear on the RICO predicate-offense list. That background, recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, translates directly to understanding the financial threads prosecutors pull when building a racketeering case.