Racketeering & RICO Defense Attorney in Orange County
Facing Federal Enterprise Allegations? Our Orange County Team Can Build Your Defense
A federal racketeering case can connect allegations involving an organization, multiple participants, years of conduct, and several underlying crimes. Rather than treating each alleged act separately, prosecutors may claim those acts formed a pattern tied to a criminal enterprise.
These matters can begin with contact from federal investigators, a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, a search, or an indictment. The appropriate response depends on the procedural stage, the alleged enterprise, the conduct attributed to you, the financial and communications evidence, and any related forfeiture claims.
Call our Orange County criminal defense team at (657) 571-2266 for a confidential evaluation of a federal racketeering investigation, RICO charge, or related criminal-profiteering allegation.
What Federal Prosecutors Must Prove in a RICO Case
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly called RICO, is codified at 18 U.S.C. sections 1961 through 1968. In a criminal prosecution, the government generally must establish the charged enterprise, its connection to interstate or foreign commerce, the defendant’s relationship to it, and the required pattern of racketeering activity. The precise elements depend on the statutory provision charged.
An enterprise may be a legal entity or an association-in-fact, meaning a group alleged to function together for a shared purpose. Predicate acts are the qualifying offenses said to form the racketeering pattern.
A racketeering conspiracy charge focuses on an alleged agreement involving enterprise-related criminal activity. Prosecutors may attribute different acts to different defendants, but an indictment isn’t proof. The government must still prove every charged element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Criminal RICO charges are distinct from civil RICO lawsuits, which involve private claims, different procedures, and different remedies. This page addresses criminal investigations and prosecutions.
California Criminal Profiteering Is Not State RICO
California doesn’t have a statute identical to federal RICO. The California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act, found in Penal Code section 186 and the sections that follow, establishes a separate criminal-profiteering framework that operates alongside prosecution of the underlying state offenses.
Under Penal Code section 186.2, a pattern of criminal profiteering activity generally involves at least two related incidents that aren’t isolated events and qualify under the statute. The framework can support claims involving proceeds or property allegedly connected to organized criminal activity, including asset forfeiture. The applicable requirements depend on the charged offenses, asserted pattern, and property at issue.
Criminal Defense Led by State Bar-Certified Jacqueline Goodman
Jacqueline Goodman is a State Bar-certified criminal law specialist whose practice is limited to criminal defense. Her professional leadership includes service on the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and leadership roles in California criminal-defense organizations. That criminal-law background informs a disciplined approach to document-heavy, multi-defendant prosecutions while keeping the focus on the conduct and evidence attributed to each individual.
Other reasons to choose our team include:
30 years of experience: We bring extensive criminal defense experience addressing serious charges, complex evidence, and challenging legal issues.
Compassionate legal care: We provide respectful, attentive representation that recognizes the personal and emotional impact of criminal allegations.
Tailored legal guidance: Our case-specific strategies are based on the evidence, applicable law, and each client's individual circumstances.
Sometimes Bad Things Happen to Good People
You Need Jacqueline On Your Side
I am committed to providing my clients with the trusted counsel and aggressive defense they deserve. I believe in redemption and helping people get second chances. I devote a significant portion of my practice to criminal justice reform and I have provided pro bono representation in impact litigation to change the laws to benefit every Californian.
No one is perfect, and everyone has flaws. A mistake should not define you, and our Orange County criminal defense attorney is ready to fight to protect your future, no matter the charges. Attorney Jacqueline Goodman is here to get you out of this difficult situation and put you back in the position you were in before your trouble started!
“Amazing lawyer. Excellent staff. If you are in some trouble and need someone that will fight for you and actually put in 110% effort into your case, Jacqueline Goodman is the one.”
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I'm Extremely Happy
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Patient & Responsive
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Got the Best Deal
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What to Do After Federal Investigators Make Contact
A target letter, grand jury subpoena, search-warrant notice, or interview request requires a careful response, even when no arrest has occurred. It doesn’t mean an indictment is inevitable, but it may show that federal authorities are examining your testimony, records, relationships, or alleged conduct.
Initial steps generally include:
Preserve the letter, subpoena, warrant paperwork, and related communications.
Identify response dates, appearance dates, and document-production deadlines.
Avoid deleting, altering, or disposing of potentially relevant records.
Limit discussions with investigators, potential witnesses, and other involved people until you’ve received legal guidance.
Obtain a confidential defense assessment before making statements or producing materials.
Get Clarity From Our Racketeering & RICO Defense Lawyer in Orange County
If federal agents have contacted you, a subpoena or target letter has arrived, property has been searched, or racketeering charges have been filed, contact us for a confidential case evaluation. We can assess the immediate procedural issues, the alleged enterprise, the conduct attributed to you, and any related forfeiture or state-law concerns.
At The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, your case is evaluated by a State Bar-certified criminal law specialist whose practice is limited to criminal defense. We tailor our approach to the allegations, evidence, deadlines, and stage of the proceeding.
Call (657) 571-2266 to discuss a federal RICO, racketeering conspiracy, or California criminal-profiteering matter confidentially.
