Freehold NJ Financial Facilitation Lawyers
Financial facilitation of criminal activity, which is more commonly known as money laundering, is a very serious offense in New Jersey and should not be taken lightly. As you will see below, depending on the dollar amount in question, a Defendant could be facing a twenty (20) year prison sentence if they are convicted of money laundering. To make matters worse, money laundering is usually either a tack on offense or an offense charged when the prosecution can not prove the main purpose of the investigation. In other words, most money laundering charges are in addition to other serious charges like drug distribution or a large scale theft / forgery scheme. That is why when most Defendant’s are charged with money laundering they tend to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, based on the new bail reforms, anyone charged with money laundering now runs the risk of being detained in the Monmouth County Jail, without bail, pending trial. In order for that to occur though, the prosecution must file for and be successful at what is known as a Detention Hearing. For more information on Detention Hearings in New Jersey, please contact our Middletown office at 732.858.6959.
At Keith Oliver Criminal Law not only do we defend clients accused of money laundering but we also defend clients accused of heroin distribution, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, cocaine possession, heroin possession, theft by deception, theft of services and receiving stolen property. If you have been charged with any of the aforementioned offenses or any other offense for that matter, in Monmouth County, we can help. Our Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys are well aware of the repercussion a conviction for money laundering can do to someone’s life. As such, we are dedicated to make sure that we leave no stone un-turned when it comes to defending our clients. We will aggressively challenge the evidence presented against you in order to obtain a favorable outcome. We serve all of Monmouth County, including towns like Long Branch, Neptune, Ocean Township, Middletown, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Freehold, Manasquan, Belmar and Wall Township. If you would like to set up a free consultation today, then please contact us at 732-858-6959. Our attorneys are available immediately for a free consultation.
Money Laundering Attorneys in Monmouth County NJ
The crime of money laundering criminalizes a situation in which someone obtains property (usually money) that they knew or should have known stemmed from some form of an illegal activity. By far the two most common money laundering charges stem from either a larger scale drug distribution ring or a retail theft ring. All money laundering charges in New Jersey will be governed by NJSA 2C:21-25. The legislature has broken down the money laundering statute into three separate sections. Below is a helpful chart that illustrates the different sections and what the prosecution must prove in order to obtain a conviction for money laundering in New Jersey.
| Money Laundering | What Conduct it Covers | What the State Must Prove |
| NJSA 2C:21-25a: | This section of the statute states in pertinent part that “a person is guilty of a crime if the person transports or possesses property known or which a reasonable person would believe to be derived from criminal activity” |
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| NJSA 2C:21-25b | This section of the statute states in pertinent part that “a person is guilty of a crime if the person engages in a transaction involving property known or which a reasonable person would believe to be derived from criminal activity with the intent to facilitate or promote criminal activity” |
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| NJSA 2C:21-25c | This section of the statute states in pertinent part that “a person is guilty of a crime if the person directs, organizes, finances, plans, manages, supervises or controls the transportation of or transactions in property known or which a reasonable person would believe to be derived from criminal activity” |
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Will I Go To Jail for Money Laundering in New Jersey?
Money laundering is basically broken down into three separate degrees, all of which are felony offenses. As touched upon earlier, the dollar amount in question will dictate what degree a Defendant is charged with. The degree will also dictate what the potential penalties are as well. Here is a breakdown of the different degrees and the potential penalties for each.
- First Degree Money Laundering Charges in NJ: In order to be charged with a first degree, the Defendant must have allegedly laundered more than $500,000. If convicted, a Defendant would be facing anywhere from ten to twenty years in a prison and fined up to $200,000.
- Second Degree Money Laundering Charges in NJ: To be charged with money laundering in the second degree, a Defendant must have laundered more than $75,000 but less than $500,000. If convicted, a Defendant will be facing anywhere from five to ten years in prison and a fine up to $150,000.
- Third Degree Money Laundering Offenses in NJ: To be charged with money laundering in the third degree it must be alleged that the Defendant laundered less than $75,000. If convicted of this degree, a Defendant will be facing anywhere from three to five years in prison and a fine up to $35,000.
Money Laundering Defense Attorneys in Monmouth County NJ
If you have been accused of money laundering, robbery, burglary, theft of services, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, being the leader of a drug trafficking network or any other offense for that matter in Monmouth County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our office defends clients accused of crimes in towns throughout Monmouth County, including towns like Rumson, Little Ferry, Belmar, Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Tinton Falls, Howell, Eatontown and Aberdeen. If you would like to come into our Middletown Office and speak one on one with one of our Monmouth County Criminal Defense Attorneys then please contact us directly at 732.858.6959.