Federal Money Laundering Defense Attorney in Miami, FL, Defending Complex Financial Transactions and Forfeiture Actions for Clients in South Florida and Nationwide
When you’re facing charges of money laundering in state or federal court, it can be difficult to even understand what exactly you’re accused of doing. Conduct that constitutes money laundering can have a lot in common with legitimate business transactions, with the key difference being criminal intent. To protect you from overreaching prosecutors and harsh penalties, you need a Miami money laundering lawyer with experience providing an effective white-collar crime defense.
At Forge Litigation Group, I fight for favorable outcomes for clients charged with serious offenses. Contact me today for help building your defense against money laundering charges in Florida or in federal court. The consultation is confidential, and it allows you to get your legal questions answered by an experienced attorney.
Understanding Money Laundering Charges in Florida and Federal Courts
A money laundering case pertains to a non-violent but still serious criminal violation. Money obtained through unlawful activities such as drug trafficking, proceeds from organized crime, embezzlement, or fraud of various kinds could potentially be traced by authorities, leading to criminal charges. Money laundering is a strategy used to reduce the risk of detection by obscuring the source of “dirty” money, but this act itself is illegal.
Money laundering generally involves placing money obtained through illegal means into the legitimate financial system and then moving it around through various accounts or transactions to cover up the illicit source of the funds.
While money laundering may seem harmless, courts and prosecutors take this offense seriously because of the crimes it facilitates, which range from drug trafficking to terrorism, as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a federal bureau, noted. That’s why it’s important to have a knowledgeable Miami money laundering lawyer fighting for your best interests. The stakes are high, with a conviction potentially leading to long-term prison sentences, steep fines, and asset forfeiture.
Money Laundering Charges in Federal Court
Money laundering is a violation of federal law, particularly under Section 1956 of Title 18, United States Code, which addresses the laundering of monetary instruments. This statute prohibits knowingly conducting (or attempting to conduct) financial transactions that involve property obtained through unlawful activity either to promote unlawful activities, disguise the source of the proceeds, or circumvent reporting requirements. This federal law also encompasses international fund transmissions and transfers conducted for these unlawful purposes.
If convicted of violating this statute, you could face up to 20 years in federal prison per offense, as well as fines amounting to up to $500,000 or double the value of the funds involved in the crime. You could also have your property seized by the government in the event of court-ordered asset forfeiture.
Section 1957 of Title 18, United States Code, also applies to money laundering offenses. Under this statute, knowingly conducting monetary transactions that involve more than $10,000 of property or assets derived from specific criminal activity can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment, as well as fines of up to $250,000. The specific unlawful activities to which this statute applies include fraud, bribery of a public official, embezzlement of public funds, extortion, dealing in controlled substances, robbery, kidnapping, murder, and more.
If you’re facing money laundering charges in federal court, you’re in serious legal trouble. Federal agencies have the authority to investigate these offenses, and U.S. Attorneys have the resources to build strong cases against defendants. A conviction can be life-changing, resulting in long-term loss of freedom as well as fines that impose a significant financial hardship. You need your legal strategy in the hands of a defense attorney with extensive experience handling federal crimes and court proceedings.
Florida Laws Against Money Laundering
Florida has its own anti-money laundering laws that could leave you facing charges at the state level. Established under Section 896.101 of Florida Statutes, the Florida Money Laundering Act prohibits involvement in a financial transaction or the transportation of funds in which you know that the property or assets represent the proceeds from criminal activity when conducted for any of the following purposes:
- Promoting or facilitating unlawful activity
- Concealing the source, ownership, or nature of the funds
- Avoiding legal reporting requirements
If convicted of violating Florida’s money laundering law, the penalties you could face depend on the value of the transactions that allegedly occurred over a 12-month period.
- Transactions between $300 and $20,000: The offense constitutes a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
- Transactions between $20,000 and $100,000: The violation amounts to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
- Transactions of $100,000 or above: The offense is a felony of the first degree, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Additionally, the law provides for more extensive financial punishments for this financial offense. You could face a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the financial transactions ($500,000 or quintuple the value of the financial transactions for a repeat offense), plus a civil penalty of up to $25,000 or the value of the transaction.
The Impact of Retaining an Experienced Federal Money Laundering Defense Attorney in Miami, FL
Whether you’re facing charges at the state or federal level, you need to prioritize your defense. Without a knowledgeable Miami money laundering lawyer fighting aggressively for your rights and interests, you’re facing an uphill battle in a criminal justice system focused on proving guilt and aggressively prosecuting cases.
As a defense attorney, I work to secure my clients the most favorable outcomes possible. Examples of the types of outcomes I pursue include:
- Dismissals of charges through pre-trial motions
- Reduction of charges to lesser offenses
- Suppression of improperly obtained evidence
- Plea deals with favorable terms that minimize criminal penalties
- Strong trial presentations that secure not-guilty verdicts
- Effective advocacy for lighter sentencing following a conviction
- Assistance with any appeals filed
The outcome that may be feasible in your specific situation depends on the unique facts and circumstances. I will review your situation during a no-cost consultation and provide an objective assessment of how my services could potentially influence the outcome of your case.
How Forge Litigation Group Can Help
In money laundering cases that often involve various types of financial statements as evidence, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your transactions weren’t innocent money moves. To establish that the acts you’re accused of were knowing activities undertaken to cover up the true source of illegally obtained funds or to facilitate unlawful activities, the prosecutor needs to provide evidence of your knowledge of the source of the funds and unlawful intent.
This requirement adds to the complexity of money laundering cases, but it also provides opportunities for building a strong defense. As your Miami money laundering lawyer, I will carry out a thorough investigation, gather evidence in your favor, and challenge every aspect of the case against you. I will question whether the evidence against you was obtained through proper procedures, identify any inaccuracies in the prosecution’s assertions, and draw attention to all weaknesses in the arguments for convicting you.
In money laundering cases, I address the challenges of analyzing and interpreting financial evidence. I also cast doubts on the prosecution’s efforts to establish knowledge of criminal activity and intent to conceal the true source of funds.
Why Choose Forge Litigation Group as Your Miami Money Laundering Lawyer?
For a federal money laundering defense attorney in Miami, FL, who is trial-ready, determined to go the extra mile to support your legal strategy, and willing to stand by you despite negative publicity, Forge Litigation Group is the clear choice.
A Focus on Trial Preparation From the Beginning
Not all money laundering cases go to trial, but it’s always important to be prepared for the possibility of fighting your legal battle in court. Every aspect of my criminal defense services aligns with an approach that builds each case for a potential trial from day one. Even if your case ultimately settles or is resolved at summary judgment, this approach ensures all options remain available to you and provides greater leverage in pursuing favorable resolutions out of court.
Commitment to Hands-on Investigations
The evidence that supports your defense can make a major difference in the outcome of the case against you. I take a hands-on approach to legal practice. While I work with professional investigators and experts when appropriate, I’ve also been known to personally walk neighborhoods, knock on doors, and search for witnesses whose testimony can strengthen your defense. Building the most effective legal strategy possible begins with a painstaking investigation and collection of evidence.
Dedicated Legal Support in the Wake of Negative Press
Money laundering charges can give rise to scandals, but I recognize that the negative media coverage that accompanies these situations is often one-sided and unfair. The media firestorm won’t deter me from fighting for your best interests. I enjoy working with individuals who have received very negative media coverage, and I find the challenge of helping them craft compelling responses to the allegations against them fulfilling. In the midst of managing a crisis, I treat every opportunity I have to tell my client’s story as a good one.
Contact a Miami Money Laundering Lawyer at Forge Litigation Group Today for a Case Evaluation
When you’re charged with money laundering, you need to act fast to avoid making common mistakes, gather critical evidence before it disappears, and begin building an effective defense. As the type of lawyer that takes my client’s legal challenges personally, I am ready to act immediately and willing and able to appear anywhere on very short notice. That gives me the ability to quickly reach my client and be there by your side when it’s time to face a judge, the media, or an accuser.
For help from a federal money laundering defense attorney in Miami, FL, contact Forge Litigation Group online or call 786-933-8794 today.