Money Laundering Charges in New Jersey

Criminal Defense Attorney for Charges Under N.J.S. 2C:21-25

Money laundering is the process of creating the appearance that money obtained from crime came from a legitimate source. Money laundering can occur in a variety of ways. If you possess property that a reasonable person would know was a product of the crime, you are guilty of money laundering.

Money laundering can also include entering into a transaction that you know is being done to hide the source of the money or to avoid reporting it to government agencies. You are also guilty of money laundering in the state of New Jersey if you prevent a financial institution from filing a legal report or causing them to file one with omissions or false information.

Being convicted of this white collar crime may lead to serious penalties, but a Morris County criminal defense lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher G. Porreca, P.C. can help protect your freedom.

Penalties for Money Laundering

The penalties for money laundering are severe under both New Jersey and federal law, and depend on the amount of property involved and the type of crime. Obstructing a legal report from a financial institution or laundering less than $75,000 is a third-degree crime that can be punished with 3 to 5 years in prison. If you are convicted of laundering $75,000 to $499,000, you will be guilty of committing a second-degree crime and face 5 to 10 years in prison. You may face 10 to 20 years in prison if you are convicted of laundering $500,000 or more, a first-degree crime.

Protect Your Freedom With a Morris County Criminal Lawyer

If you have been arrested and charged with money laundering, it is important to seek legal assistance you can trust. I was selected for inclusion in the list of Rising Stars℠ for lawyers in New Jersey under the age of 40 by Super Lawyers® Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, from 2006 – 2011. I know that the prosecution needs to prove that you knowingly tried to hide the source of the money, and I can help defend your freedom. For more information about your rights and options, take advantage of my free case evaluation.