Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed September 26, 2018
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Racketeering occurs when a person conducts a "racket," which is a planned or organized criminal act. The criminal acts can involve anything from extortion to drug distribution to money laundering. In order to be considered racketeering, there usually has to be a pattern of criminal activity, as opposed to one or two random or independent criminal acts. In addition to the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), most state laws - including Minnesota - have also enacted laws that address and criminalize racketeering.
While it's important to read the actual text of a law, this can be a time-consuming task since laws are often written in "legalese." That's why it can be very helpful to also read a summary of the law your researching. In the following table, you can find both an overview of Minnesota racketeering laws as well as links to relevant statutes.
| Statute(s) | Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609. Criminal Code, Section 609.901, et seq. (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) |
| Prohibited Activities | The crime of racketeering occurs when a person:
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| Penalties | There are a variety of criminal penalties that a person convicted of racketeering may face including imprisonment for up to 20 years and/or fines of up to $1,000.000*. *If the person convicted received economic gain or caused economic loss or personal injury as a result of the crime, they face a maximum fine of three times the gross value gained or loss caused (whichever is greater) plus investigation, court, and prosecution costs minus the value of forfeited property. |
| Related Statute(s) | Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609. Criminal Code:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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As you can see, a racketeering conviction in Minnesota can lead to serious prison time and hefty fines, but there's a heavy burden on the government to prove any charges against you. If you've been charged with racketeering - or any other crime - it's best to speak with a local criminal defense attorney who will be able to explain how Minnesota racketeering laws apply to your case and who can help map out the best strategy going forward.
Contact a qualified attorney.
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