Organized Crime Control Act
The Organized Crime Control Act, enacted in 1970, was a significant legislative response aimed at addressing the activities of organized crime in the United States. Defined as the unlawful activities of highly organized and disciplined groups, organized crime encompasses a range of illicit operations, including illegal gambling. The Act granted enhanced powers to grand juries, allowing for the detention of uncooperative witnesses and the ability to indict them for perjury if they provided contradictory testimony. A notable element of the Act is the establishment of a witness protection program, designed to enhance the safety of individuals who cooperate with law enforcement against organized crime.
Furthermore, Title IX of the Act introduced the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which is specifically targeted at preventing organized crime and racketeering from infiltrating legitimate businesses. RICO’s broad scope allows it to cover various illegal activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce, imposing stricter penalties on crimes related to organized crime entities. Overall, the Organized Crime Control Act represents a comprehensive effort to combat organized criminal enterprises and protect society from their influence.
Organized Crime Control Act
The Law: Federal law designed to make it easier to prosecute offenders involved in organized crime
Date: Became law on October 15, 1970
Significance: The Organized Crime Control Act includes the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute, the law under which the majority of organized criminals are indicted in the federal justice system.
The Organized Crime Control Act defines organized crime as “unlawful activities of . . . a highly organized, disciplined association.” In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed the act into law to combat organized crime groups, along with certain illegal gambling operations. In addition, the law gave new power to grand juries, allowed detention of uncooperative witnesses, authorized indicting witnesses for perjury when they give contradictory testimony, and authorized the U.S. attorney general to create a witness protection program.
Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is best known simply as RICO. RICO was devised to prevent organized crime and racketeering from permeating legitimate organizations. However, the statute is expansive enough to include most illegal activity that affects interstate and foreign commerce. RICO also authorizes harsher penalties for illegal activity that stems from an ongoing criminal organization.
Bibliography
Bourgeois, Richard L., Jr., et al. “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations.” American Criminal Law Review 37, no. 2 (2000): 879-940.
Dash, Samuel. “The American Bar Association’s Impact on the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.” American Criminal Law Quarterly 9, no. 1 (1970): 2-162.