Movies and television shows like The Sopranos may have glorified organized crime. However, this is not a concept you should glamorize in your head, as the state of New Jersey harshly penalizes anyone found guilty of participating in such illegal, criminal activity. Without any further introduction needed, please read on to discover the different types of organized crimes made punishable per New Jersey state laws and how a seasoned Morristown criminal defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC can help you evade these potential penalties.
What are the different types of organized crimes punishable in New Jersey?
Generally speaking, organized crime is an umbrella term used to describe criminal activities that are planned and controlled by powerful groups and carried out on a large scale. In this blog, we will cover four common types: racketeering, money laundering, fraud, and extortion.
Firstly, racketeering is considered a pattern of illegal activity rather than a specific crime. It involves obtaining money from others through violent crimes or other unlawful activities. Specifically, this may be a pattern or culmination of murder, kidnapping, prostitution, robbery, theft, distribution of controlled substances, etc.
Secondly, money laundering involves the possession, transportation, or participation in transactions involving property that is known or should be reasonably identified as obtained through illegal activities. A typical example of this may be earning a large profit through drug distribution, and then depositing it into small funds across multiple bank accounts so that it goes unreported by financial institutions.
Then, fraud may entail the use of deception to obtain money or goods or to otherwise avoid losing money or goods. This may be further categorized as bank fraud, credit card fraud, or identity theft. Lastly, fraud is different than extortion, as the latter involves the use of force or intimidation to obtain money or goods. This may be accomplished through blackmail, or threatening to harm someone’s reputation by releasing private information or making false claims against them. Or through ransom, by holding someone captive and threatening to harm them if compensation is not received.
What are the potential penalties for an organized crime offense?
Overall, the potential penalties for an organized crime offense in the state of New Jersey may depend on the amount of money involved in the illegal activity, along with whether or not the defendant knew about and intended to participate in the illegal activity. These may range from fourth-degree to first-degree offenses, which may be punishable in the following ways:
- A fourth-degree offense in the state of New Jersey:
- A prison sentence of up to 18 months.
- A fine of up to $10,000.
- A third-degree offense in the state of New Jersey:
- A prison sentence of three to five years.
- A fine of up to $15,000.
- A second-degree offense in the state of New Jersey:
- A prison sentence of five to 10 years.
- A fine of up to $150,000.
- A first-degree offense in the state of New Jersey:
- A prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.
- A fine of up to $200,000.
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