Former President Donald Trump's latest indictment in Fulton County, Georgia, could lead to jail time over RICO charges.

The alleged violations of the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Donald Trump indicted: What is RICO — and how might it spell jail time for ex-president? https://t.co/Pk7VnXB3V2

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 16, 2023

What is RICO?

"U.S. lawmakers passed the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in 1970 to battle organized crime, notably the mafia. Most states enacted similar laws with various twists," Reuters reported.

"The main requirements under the federal RICO law are at least two underlying crimes and participation in a criminal enterprise over a long period of time," it added.

YAHOO NEWS: Why Trump's indictment in Georgia could spell 'big trouble,' according to a legal expert 😏https://t.co/8iN13TOJnN

— Dee (@DeePeanuts) August 15, 2023

The consequences

"If Trump and his allies are found guilty of RICO charges, each of them could face a minimum of five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years," Yahoo News reported.

"Unlike the two federal indictments brought against Trump by the Justice Department, the criminal charges filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis are part of a state prosecution, which is not subject to the authority of the federal government. The same applies to the hush money case brought against Trump earlier this year in New York," it added.

The felony charges filed Monday against former President Donald Trump in Georgia are unlike any of the other 78 charges he was already facing in three separate cases around the country. https://t.co/spT3YDUI4E

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 16, 2023

The requirements

"In order to prove racketeering took place, Cloud said prosecutors must convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that at least two of the racketeering activities are related in terms of method, purpose, or victims," CBS News reported.

"And in Trump's case, [Professor Morgan] Cloud believes 'the most important of those would be related in terms of goal or purpose, which was to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia,'" it added.

The RICO charge is more difficult to prove than other charges as it focuses on repeated actions that can be proven in court. However, if successful, the charge holds serious consequences.

The charges could also apply to others in the case. A total of 18 additional people were named in the indictment, including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and Jenna Ellis.

The former president is already speaking out against the new indictment, claiming he will soon reveal evidence that will put an end to the Georgia charges.