Money Laundering Lawyer in Miami, FL Experienced And Ready To Defend
If you have been accused of any type of money laundering or other legal issues, it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer right away. At Piotrowski Law, we have extensive experience defending clients accused of money laundering. We know the strategies that the prosecution will use and how to counter them. We will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today for a free consultation. Contact Piotrowski Law today at 305-204-5000 to set up your free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
What Is Considered Money Laundering?
Money laundering is the process of making money that has been earned through criminal activity appear to have come from a legitimate source. This is often done by moving the money through a series of financial transactions so that it becomes more difficult to trace where the money originally came from. Transferring money from one account to an international or foreign account so that it looks like it’s coming from a different location, buying products, and returning later to get the money returned and seeming like it’s from a different source, are often how we see money being moved around. Money laundering can be used to finance a wide variety of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption.
There are many different ways that someone can commit money laundering, but some common examples include:
- Hiding or disguising the origin of the money; can be linked to money that was gathered through drug trafficking, stealing, and tax evasion and is usually completed through complex financial transactions
- Moving money through a series of bank accounts to make it difficult to track; can be placed in offshore accounts so that it looks like it originated in a different country, or to affect the way the money gets taxed
- Mortgage fraud; buying a house with illegal money so that it looks like a legitimate transaction. The financial institutions can also seize the property involved
- Investing money in legitimate businesses to disguise the illegal source of the funds; buying a house or car in the name of a business, or simply to just go through the money faster.
- Using shell companies or other front organizations to funnel money; creating a fake company or foundation to place the money in so that it looks like a legitimate transaction.
What Is The Punishment For Money Laundering?
In the United States, money laundering is a federal crime that is punishable by years in prison. If you have been charged with money laundering, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Piotrowski Law, our Miami money-laundering lawyers are ready to defend you against these serious charges. In the state of Florida, the law states that you can be ordered to pay a fine up to $250,000 or twice the value of the total financial transactions that were completed. If this is not your first case, you can be fined up to $500,000 or four times the amount of the total financial transactions.
In the United States, the criminal penalties for money laundering can range from a few years in prison to life in prison. The exact punishment will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of money that was laundered and the purpose of the laundering, and whether or not a more serious crime was committed. Civil penalties do exist for smaller offenses or for first-time offenders. A civil penalty can be up to $25,000 or the value of the financial transactions that were involved, whichever transaction is greater. If you have been charged with money laundering, you could be facing a lengthy prison sentence.
The criminal justice system works in a variety of ways and has serious legal consequences for those convicted of money laundering. The federal authorities make it a priority to track illegal activity, criminal offenses, illegal income, tax fraud, and offshore bank accounts. This is done through the bank secrecy act. Businesses are expected to have a bank secrecy act information guide to help understand and discover possible money laundering offenses. Having information on the bank secrecy act can help ensure that financial transactions are tracked along with the name of the person who has completed the transaction. At Piotrowski Law, we have years of experience defending clients against money laundering charges and are ready to fight for your rights. Contact one of our experienced money laundering lawyers today for a free consultation.
Can I Fight My Money Laundering Charges?
Yes, you can fight your money laundering charges if you are the person accused. There are a number of defenses that may be available to you, depending on the facts of your case, and some will be handled in federal court. Some common defenses include:
- The money was not actually laundered.
- You did not know that the money was obtained through criminal activity.
- The money was not actually obtained through criminal activity.
If you have been charged with money laundering, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can evaluate your case and determine which defenses may be available to you. At Piotrowski Law, our Miami money-laundering lawyers are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
When Should I Hire An Attorney For My Money Laundering Case?
If you have been charged with money laundering, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have an attorney on your side, the better your chances of success. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer when you are facing charges means that they can take care of all of the important information, review all of the documents, speak to the other attorneys on your behalf, ensure that everything you need is filed on time, and ensure that you have a strong case. We have years of experience defending clients against money laundering charges and are ready to fight for your rights. Contact Piotrowski Law at 305-204-5000 to get started on a great attorney-client relationship today and for a free consultation with a Miami money-laundering lawyer.