A South Florida criminal defense attorney who provides defense in white collar crimes will likely wind up defending a client charged with money laundering. This crime is often charged along with other offenses. A South Florida criminal defense attorney can explain the nature of this offense and the potential punishment.

Florida law prohibits the following conduct:

• Conducting financial transactions that promote racketeering
• Transporting currency to promote racketeering
• Conducting financial transactions involving money acquired from illegal activity

Illegal activities that may result in money laundering charges include white collar crimes, theft, embezzlement, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cyber crimes or other criminal offenses. Money laundering can also be charged when money is moved via wire transfers or other ways. It may involve a purchase, sale, making a deposit, making a loan, transferring money between accounts, a gift or other type of transaction.

The prosecutor must prove that the defendant had an intent to promote the specific type of unlawful activity. Additionally, he or she must prove that the property involved in the transaction in question came from an illegal source that involved a felony.

The potential penalties that a person faces if convicted for money laundering depend on several factors, including the number of offenses and the value of the illegal money.

Some possible penalties include:

• For a value between $300 and $20,000 in one-year period – Up to five years in a state prison
• For a value between $20,000 and $100,000 in one-year period – Up to fifteen years in a state prison
• For a value of $100,000 or more during one-year period – Up to thirty years in a state prison

A Florida criminal defense lawyer can evaluate the charges against you and build a legal defense.