Money Laundering Charges: Here’s Why You Need an Aggressive Federal Crimes Lawyer

Getting charged with money laundering can be scary. The penalties are severe – up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. And the laws are complicated. Prosecutors often stack money laundering charges on top of other federal crimes like drug trafficking, fraud, or organized crime.

So if you’re facing federal money laundering charges, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Here’s why:

An Aggressive Lawyer Can Challenge the Evidence

To convict you of money laundering, prosecutors need to prove that:

• The money came from a specific criminal activity[1]
• You knew the money was from illegal activity[2]
• You engaged in a financial transaction with the money[3]

A skilled lawyer will scrutinize the evidence and look for holes in the government’s case. Maybe the money didn’t actually come from crime. Or maybe you didn’t know it was dirty. Without solid evidence, the charges should be dismissed.

The Laws Are Complex with Many Defenses

Money laundering laws are complicated. There are different statutes for domestic laundering[1], international laundering[1], and undercover stings[1].

And each statute has nuances. For example, domestic laundering requires the money to come from a “specified unlawful activity” – the list of qualifying crimes is long but specific[1].

An experienced lawyer understands these complexities and can identify potential defenses:

• You lacked criminal intent[2]
• The money came from a lawful source[2]
• You were coerced into the transactions[2]

Don’t go it alone against complex charges. Fight back with an attorney well-versed in federal money laundering laws.

Sentencing Depends on the Circumstances

Money laundering sentences vary widely depending on the details of your case. The amount of money involved is a major factor. As is the specific crime the money came from – penalties are higher for violent crimes and drug trafficking[1].

Whether you played a major or minor role in the scheme also impacts your sentence. Undercover sting operations may qualify for lower sentences too[1].

An aggressive lawyer will look closely at the circumstances to minimize your sentencing exposure. The difference could be years less prison time.

Forfeiture and Seizures Are Common

In money laundering cases, the government often seizes assets like cash, cars, homes, and bank accounts. Even if you beat the criminal charges, you could still lose these assets permanently.

A skilled federal defense lawyer knows how to fight forfeitures and seizures. We can argue your property wasn’t involved in money laundering. And possibly even recover assets that were wrongly taken.

Early Intervention Can Prevent Charges

The best defense is avoiding criminal charges altogether. If you’re under investigation for money laundering, an experienced lawyer can often intervene early and convince prosecutors not to press charges.

We can speak with investigators directly and present exculpatory evidence. Or negotiate for lesser charges like failing to file CTR reports[4].

Don’t wait until you’re indicted – get a lawyer involved at the first sign of trouble.

We Have a Proven Track Record

The lawyers at my firm have decades of experience defending complex federal cases like money laundering, drug crimes, fraud, and RICO.

We’ve secured full acquittals at trial. Got charges reduced or dismissed through motions and negotiations. And minimized sentences with effective mitigation.

Check out our case results and client testimonials. Then call for a free consultation.

Facing federal money laundering charges is scary. But with an aggressive criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can fight back. Don’t go it alone against the power of the government. Call now to schedule your free case evaluation.

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