Chicago, Illinois Jury Instruction — RIC— - Substantive Offense is a crucial legal instruction provided to jurors in criminal trials involving Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges. RICO is a federal law that targets and prosecutes individuals or organizations involved in organized crime activities. This jury instruction outlines the elements of the substantive offense under RICO and guides jurors in assessing whether the accused party is guilty or not. Keywords: Chicago, Illinois, jury instruction, RICO, substantive offense, types There are several types of Chicago, Illinois Jury Instruction — RIC— - Substantive Offense, each addressing specific elements and requirements. Here are a few examples: 1. Pattern of Racketeering Activity: This instruction focuses on proving that the defendant engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity as defined by RICO statutes. Jurors are tasked with evaluating the frequency, continuity, and relationship of predicate offenses committed by the accused party. 2. Enterprise: This instruction centers around establishing the existence and nature of the criminal enterprise involved in the case. Jurors must determine if the accused party either owned or managed the enterprise, or if they were employed by or associated with it. 3. Predicate Offenses: This instruction outlines the specific federal or state offenses that can qualify as predicates under RICO. The jury is directed to evaluate whether the defendant committed at least two predicate crimes within ten years, demonstrating a pattern of criminal behavior. 4. Conduct of Affairs: This instruction guides jurors in assessing whether the enterprise's affairs were conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity. It prompts jurors to analyze the defendant's involvement in the overall operations, management, or control of the enterprise. 5. Causation: This instruction focuses on establishing a causal connection between the defendant's participation in the enterprise and the harm caused to the victims or society. Jurors are asked to consider whether the accused party's actions directly contributed to the commission of predicate offenses or the overall criminal activities of the enterprise. 6. Defenses: This instruction lays out potential defenses that the accused party may raise. Jurors must carefully evaluate the merits and applicability of these defenses to determine their impact on the defendant's culpability. It is crucial for jurors to fully understand these various types of Chicago, Illinois Jury Instruction — RIC— - Substantive Offense in order to make informed decisions based on the evidence presented during the trial. The specific instruction(s) provided will depend on the facts and charges involved in the case.