NCJ Number
96889
Journal
Connecticut Bar Journal Volume: 57 Dated: (October 1983) Pages: 391-407
Date Published
1983
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement officials and prosecutors need to carefully select the individuals who should be targeted for prosecution under State racketeering laws or the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act(RICO).
Abstract
Although the Federal RICO statutes have been the basis of many significant Federal criminal prosecutions, the same concepts have not been routinely adopted in those States which have enacted similar types of statutes. In 1982, Connecticut, for example, became the 15th State to enact a State law patterned after RICO. As antiracketeering, organized crime control legislation, the law is significantly deficient in several respects. Prosecution should be reserved for individuals known to be associated with organized crime. It should not be used against any individual who happens to have the requisite predicate crime qualifications. The three most vital considerations for the success of Connecticut's law are dissemination of the availability of the enhanced prosecution, amendment of the laws to include all of the offenses commonly recognized as being associated with organized crime, and a carefully screened determination of when to pursue the prosecution. A total of 60 footnotes are supplied.