Minnesota Money Laundering Defense Attorney
Were you arrested for money laundering in Minnesota? Your charges should not be taken lightly. A conviction for money laundering can carry significant penalties on both the state and federal levels. You could lose your property. You could be ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines, In some cases, you could even face prison time. Money laundering defense attorney Max Keller can help. Our law firm may be able to get your charges reduced or eliminated entirely.
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
What Is Money Laundering?
Money laundering is exactly how it sounds: taking “dirty” money, or funds obtained through criminal activity, and making it seem clean. There are a number of ways to conceal the source of the cash, but people usually achieve this through funneling the money through a legitimate business, or by placing it in offshore accounts.
In many cases, money laundering is associated with other crimes, including:
- Robbery
- Fraud
- Prostitution
- Terrorism
- Drug trafficking
Failing to report a transaction of $10,000 or more or modifying a transaction to hide its actual value is considered money laundering.
The government may especially pay attention to people or businesses that operate largely in cash. To secure a conviction, prosecutors will have to prove that a defendant concealed the funds to purposefully hide the ownership or source of the cash. This largely differs from someone who simply hides money, such as putting in under the mattress or stowing it away in the attic.
What Are the Charges and Penalties for Money Laundering in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, money laundering is charged as a felony. Penalties can include hefty fines of up to $1 million. Prison sentences of between 10 and 20 years are not uncommon. If you are convicted of money laundering, the government can also seize your property to make up for the cash that was laundered. Sentencing is based on the value of the money laundered.
Contact a Minnesota money laundering defense attorney at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help.
Should You Hire a Money Laundering Defense Attorney?
With so much at stake, it is important to hire an experienced money laundering lawyer as soon as you realize you are under investigation. Since these types of charges are frequently accompanied by other crimes, getting a head start on your defense is crucial.
Your attorney can sit in on interviews with investigators, help make sure your rights are protected, and help prevent you from incriminating yourself during the investigation. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our money laundering lawyers may use one or more tactics in your defense.
Defenses Our Money Laundering Attorneys May Use
As the investigation into your case progresses, our lawyers will look for ways to challenge the prosecution’s case. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Lack of Intent: For you to be convicted of money laundering, the prosecution must show that you intended to commit the crime. If we can cast doubt about whether you knew the money was obtained illegally, your charges could be dropped.
- Duress: If you were forced to commit money laundering, we may be able to use duress as your defense. This is more common when employees are forced by illegal organizations to participate in a money laundering scheme.
Respond with an Experienced Money Laundering Defense Attorney
If you are facing charges for money laundering and other, similar crimes, a regular criminal defense lawyer may not be enough to help you win your case. It is essential to work with a money laundering defense attorney who has experience in similar cases and a strong track record in federal court. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, our lawyers have defended countless white collar crime cases in federal and state courts. We are available around the clock and offer free consultations to clients in need of legal representation.
