Atlanta Federal Money Laundering Attorney

Atlanta Federal Money Laundering Lawyer

The business world is complicated, and business owners are forced to do what they can to survive. Although many people are honest about their money, others find themselves without legitimate options. In certain situations, money laundering becomes an appealing prospect.

If you are being charged with money laundering, or accused of harboring illegally obtained funds, it is important to find a criminal defense attorney to represent you. If you lose your case, you will likely face consequences for years or decades to come. Because of this, you need to fight for your perspective and rights in court.

Our team at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman is here for you. We provide reliable, high-quality legal services for those accused of money laundering in Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman: Atlanta Attorney for Money Laundering Charges

Our team at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman has been working in criminal defense law for over 25 years. During our time in business, we have gained priceless experience in a wide range of criminal cases, including money laundering and white collar crimes. Because we have such vast experience in this area, we can provide our clients with top-notch representation tailored to their unique needs and situations. We are confident that we can help you navigate your money laundering charges.

We have a firm and unwavering belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality legal services, regardless of the situation or what they have been accused of. We are here to provide that support, without judgment or prejudice, for you and your family. Our team understands how frightening and complicated these cases feel. We are here to advocate for your needs and offer reliable information and resources.That way, you can make empowered decisions about your case.

When facing money laundering charges, trust the team at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman.

What Is Money Laundering?

Although the media has many dramatic and complicated depictions of money laundering, the basics are fairly simple. The term “laundering” is inspired by the process of making dirty money clean.

Money laundering occurs when a person or organization obtains money through illegal means, such as drug or contraband sales, terrorist funding, sex trafficking, and more. To make the money seem legitimate to banks and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the individual or organization funnels the money through an apparently legitimate business. This way, on paper, it looks as though the profits have come from valid financial transactions rather than criminal activities.

With the advent of online banking, cryptocurrencies, and similar internet programs, money laundering has become more common and easier to accomplish. However, many people still use physical businesses, or fronts, to launder their money.

Potential Punishments for Money Laundering

If the court ultimately finds you guilty of money laundering, you can expect severe punishment.

Georgia law breaks money laundering into two separate offenses. Section 1956 of Georgia law outlines four distinct types of money laundering: concealment, promotional, structuring, and tax evasion laundering. Section 1957 of Georgia law punishes those who spend $10,000 or more in laundered money. Many money laundering operations move extremely large amounts of money. Therefore, it is common for offenders to spend more than the $10,000 limit and be charged in both areas.

If charged with a Section 1956 offense, you can expect a prison sentence of up to 20 years if you are found guilty. The maximum fine for these offenses is $500,000 for each transaction that was charged.

Section 1957 results in a prison sentence of up to 10 years. It also includes a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the amount that was used in the transaction, whichever is greater. Section 1957 may also result in civil charges. These carry an additional fine of up to $10,000 or the value of the property, whichever is greater.

Remember, money laundering only describes the process of making “dirty” money appear “clean.” The process to obtain the money will likely involve a different charge, such as drug trafficking or fraud. These other charges will carry additional penalties.

Why Do I Need an Atlanta Federal Money Laundering Attorney?

Money laundering, like most white collar crimes, is considered a serious criminal activity under United States law. Therefore, the punishments are also serious and difficult to avoid. Many times, the prosecution in these cases has a significant amount of evidence. This requires a trained attorney to address and refute it.

A private attorney from The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman can provide individualized service that is tailored specifically to your case. We can work closely with you to understand the details of what happened. We can also detect any assumptions or misconceptions that are influencing the prosecution’s case against you. With these details in mind, we can develop a tailored criminal defense strategy.

With so much on the line, it is essential that you contact The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman for help with your money laundering case.

Money Laundering Defense Arguments

If you are facing money laundering charges, your attorney can work to develop the strongest possible defense argument in your situation. Each argument should be tailored to the details of your case. However, there are some general arguments that your attorney may use.

The most common defense strategy is to argue that the responsible party was unaware of their criminal activity. Many professionals who handle a lot of money legally and fairly get accused of money laundering. In some cases, these accusations are true, but the offender did not realize what had happened. In other situations, they are moving large amounts of money legally but raise suspicion simply based on the nature of their job.

Duress is also a common money laundering defense strategy, as the practice is common in criminal syndicates and large systems. A person may commit money laundering under duress if they are being threatened with violence or harm. This may happen in organizations such as drug cartels or large criminal enterprises.

Additional Charges

Many people get charged with money laundering along with the crimes that are involved in obtaining the money. For example, drug trafficking is one charge, and money laundering is another. If you launder the money from drug trafficking, you have committed two separate crimes and face two separate charges.

In some cases, individuals launder money without actively participating in the underlying crime. However, you can still be charged with co-conspiring in addition to the underlying offense, even if your role was only in money laundering.

Fraud is a common charge that accompanies money laundering. Many offenders obtain the money through fraud and then launder it through a business or bank account. Healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and mortgage fraud are all common charges.

Finding a Federal Money Laundering Attorney in Atlanta, GA

When facing money laundering charges, it is essential to find the right attorney for your case. Many attorneys, even those who work in criminal defense, do not have specific experience in money laundering cases. These attorneys would put you at a disadvantage if you worked with them.

Experience is a top indicator of a good attorney. You want to find someone who has specific experience with cases like yours. Discuss as many details as possible to find the maximum similarities between your case and the attorney’s past clients. This can really increase the strength of your argument. It can also ensure that your attorney knows how to navigate your case.

It is also important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable, as trust is paramount in a lawyer-client relationship. You should be able to tell your story and feel heard by your attorney. You should also not feel judged for what happened to you. Your attorney is there to advocate for your needs and protect your interests. If you feel as though they are prejudiced or making assumptions about you, you need to find alternative legal representation.

Contact The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman

Our team has decades of experience in Georgia law, and we have seen countless Atlanta money laundering clients. We can offer you reliable, strong legal services for your case.

To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with us, please reach out to The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman today.