Criminal Defense Lawyers

First off, what exactly is money laundering? Essentially, it’s when you try to hide the source of money obtained through illegal means by funneling it through legitimate businesses and transactions. Common crimes tied to money laundering charges include drug trafficking, theft, fraud, and more.

The charges for money laundering in NJ are laid out in the NJ Money Laundering Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25). There are four main types of money laundering offenses:

• Making a transaction with money or property known to be from criminal activity to promote more criminal activity, conceal the source, or avoid reporting requirements
• Transporting or transferring property known to be derived from criminal activity to conceal its source
• Directing, organizing, financing, or managing a scheme to conceal criminal proceeds
• Making a false statement regarding a transaction to conceal criminal proceeds

A 1st degree money laundering conviction can lead to 10-20 years in prison. Even a 3rd degree conviction can mean 3-5 years behind bars. Not exactly a slap on the wrist!

Because of the harsh sentencing, having an experienced NJ money laundering defense attorney is crucial. The lawyers at Marshall Law Offices have over 200 combined years defending these types of charges.

They know all the ins and outs of building a strong defense. For example, they may argue you didn’t actually know the money came from illegal activities. Or they can fight issues with how the evidence against you was obtained.

Now let’s get into some specifics on potential defenses and strategies in money laundering cases:

Challenging the Predicate Offense

One approach is to challenge the underlying criminal activity tied to the laundered money. If your attorney can cast doubt on whether that activity actually occurred, it weakens the money laundering charge.

For example, let’s say you’re accused of laundering money from drug trafficking. Your lawyer may argue there’s no evidence you were actually involved in drug trafficking.

Attacking the Knowledge Element

Prosecutors have to prove you knew the money came from illegal activities. But it’s not always so black-and-white.

Your attorney can argue you genuinely didn’t know the money was from criminal conduct. Maybe you failed to conduct proper due diligence before accepting the funds. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you knowingly laundered dirty money.

Arguing Good Faith

Let’s say you’re a business owner who accepted money without realizing it was tied to criminal activity. Your attorney can argue you acted in good faith and had no intent to conceal illegal funds.

While ignorance doesn’t absolve guilt, it can be a mitigating factor leading to reduced charges or penalties.

Compliance Program Defense

For businesses accused of money laundering, having a robust compliance program can provide a defense. If you can show you had policies and procedures to prevent illegal activity but an employee acted improperly, you may avoid liability.

Plea Bargaining

Rather than risk trial, many money laundering cases end in plea deals. An attorney can negotiate with the prosecution to get favorable terms like dropping certain charges or recommending leniency at sentencing.

As you can see, an experienced lawyer has many options when building a defense against money laundering allegations. Don’t go it alone against prosecutors – the stakes are far too high.

What About Federal Money Laundering Charges?

Another thing to keep in mind is that money laundering can also be charged federally. The federal money laundering statute is broader than NJ’s state law.

So you may end up facing charges from both state and federal prosecutors. Your defense strategy needs to take both into account.

The good news is lawyers like those at Marshall Law Offices regularly handle federal money laundering cases. They know how to navigate the complexities of simultaneous state and federal charges.

Don’t Delay – Call a NJ Money Laundering Lawyer Today

Facing money laundering charges in New Jersey is extremely serious business. Even a conviction for a small amount can ruin your finances, reputation, and freedom.

You need an attorney who knows this area of law inside out. The lawyers at Marshall Law Offices have decades of experience specifically defending money laundering charges in NJ.

Whether your case is in the early investigation stages or already indicted, give them a call at 1-877-534-7338 for expert legal help. The sooner you have them in your corner, the better your chances of avoiding harsh penalties down the road.

With their deep knowledge of NJ money laundering laws and defense strategies, they can carefully construct a defense to meet the unique circumstances of your case. Don’t leave your future in doubt – get the top-notch legal representation you deserve.