organized crime
The term "organized crime” does not have one single, generally applicable definition under federal law. Federal law enforcement agencies generally use the term to describe continuing criminal organizations, enterprises, or associations whose members coordinate their activities over time, and often for financial or other material gain. These organizations may take a variety of forms, ranging from formal hierarchies to informal networks and cells. Organized crime groups may use violence, threats, intimidation, or corruption to protect their activities, to obtain influence, and to avoid detection or prosecution. The U.S. Department of Justice describes organized crime as involving “self-perpetuating associations” that operate for power, influence, or monetary or commercial gain, wholly or partly through illegal means, while protecting their activities through patterns of corruption or violence.” Organized crime is therefore distinguishable from an isolated criminal act or a short-lived criminal conspiracy by the continuing nature of the organization and the coordinated activities of its members. Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), for example, an association-in-fact “enterprise” requires an ongoing organization, formal or informal, whose associates function as a continuing unit, although RICO's definition of “enterprise” is not itself a definition of organized crime. For additional information, see: 18 U.S.C. § 1961(4), United States v. Turkette, 452 U.S. 576, 583 (1981), the United States v. John Gotti indictment, and United States v. Frank Locascio and John Gotti, 6 F.3d 924 (2d Cir. 1993).
[Last reviewed in August of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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