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Money Laundering

New Jersey White Collar Defense Lawyers for Individuals Accused of Money Laundering

In New Jersey, money laundering is an indictable offense that can carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Individuals convicted of money laundering can also face substantial fines — as high as the greater of $200,000 or three times the value of the property involved in the “criminal enterprise.” If you are facing a money laundering charge in New Jersey, you need experienced defense counsel, and you should discuss your case with a New Jersey white collar criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

What Acts Constitute Money Laundering in New Jersey?

Under New Jersey law, four distinct acts can be prosecuted as money laundering. Each act is a separate offense, and the breadth of New Jersey’s money laundering statute allows prosecutors to pursue charges under a broad range of scenarios. The acts that constitute money laundering under New Jersey law include:

• Transporting or possessing property which you know (or which a reasonable person would believe) was derived from criminal activity;
• Engaging in a transaction involving property which you know (or which a reasonable person would believe) was derived from criminal activity, either (i) with the intent to facilitate or promote the criminal activity, or (ii) knowing that the transaction is designed to disguise the source of the property or to avoid transaction reporting requirements under state or federal law;
• Directing, organizing, financing, planning, or supervising transactions involving property which you know (or which a reasonable person would believe) was derived from criminal activity; or,
• Directing, organizing, financing, planning, or supervising the transportation of property which you know (or which a reasonable person would believe) was derived from criminal activity.

In many cases, money laundering can be prosecuted as a federal offense. Under 18 U.S.C. Section 1957, knowingly engaging in (or attempting to engage in) a transaction involving criminally-derived property of a value greater than $10,000 is a federal offense that carries statutory fines and up to a 10-year term of federal incarceration. Section 1956 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code outlaws conduct similar to that prohibited by New Jersey’s money laundering statute and imposes penalties of statutory fines and up to 20 years behind bars.

What Are Some Possible Defenses to Money Laundering Allegations?

At Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., our New Jersey white collar criminal defense lawyers represent individuals facing state and federal money laundering charges in New Jersey. Depending on the specific charges you are facing and the facts involved in your case, our attorneys may be able to assert various defenses on your behalf. Some examples of potential defenses to money laundering under state and federal law include:

• You did not know (and had no reason to believe) that the money at issue was derived from criminal activity;
• You did not actually participate in an unlawful transaction or in the transportation of criminally-derived property;
• The money in question was not derived from criminal activity;
• State or federal authorities violated your constitutional rights when conducting a search or seizure; and,
• The prosecutor’s office does not have the evidence it needs to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Speak with a New Jersey Money Laundering Defense Lawyer in Confidence

If you need to speak with an attorney about defending against a state or federal money laundering charge in New Jersey, we encourage you to contact us promptly. To schedule a free and confidential consultation as soon as possible, call 877-435-6371 or get in touch online now.