Dallas Money Laundering Attorneys

Defending Clients Charged with Money Laundering in Texas

If you or someone you care about has been accused of money laundering, you must seek legal defense immediately. Our Dallas money laundering lawyers at the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC are ready to provide you with dedicated legal representation and guidance. 

As former prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys know how to battle the other side effectively. We have more than 30 years of combined experience and have won thousands of cases on behalf of our clients. 

Have you been charged with money laundering? Call the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC today at (214) 238-9392 or contact us online to meet with our money laundering attorney in Dallas! 

What Is Money Laundering?

Money laundering is a white-collar crime that involves disguising the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. This financial crime is often associated with other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, prostitution, fraud, and organized crime. By filtering illicit funds through a complex series of financial transactions, individuals and organizations attempt to conceal the trustworthy source of the money.

The process of money laundering typically involves three stages:

1. Placement – Introducing illegal funds into the financial system, often through cash deposits, gambling, or business investments.
2. Layering – Conducting multiple transactions, such as wire transfers or offshore accounts, to obscure the money’s origin.
3. Integration – Merging the laundered money with legitimate assets, such as real estate or businesses, to make it appear lawful.

Because money laundering enables criminal enterprises to profit from unlawful activities, federal and state laws impose severe penalties on individuals guilty of this offense.

Common Types of Money Laundering

There are many types of money laundering and ways it can be committed. Essentially, it is considered money laundering to cover the traces of where money was obtained and try to make it seem more legitimate than it was.

For example, a person might be accused of selling drugs in large quantities, routing that "dirty money" through offshore accounts, and then back into a U.S. account to look like regular income.

In addition, money laundering can include any of the following types of transactions:

• Purchases
• Gifts
• Sales
• Currency exchange
• Bank deposits
• Wire transfers
• Investments
• Loans

What Is the Texas Law on Money Laundering?

In Texas, money laundering crimes are taken very seriously and prosecuted under the Texas Penal Code Ann. § 34.02. The law categorizes money laundering offenses based on the amount of money involved.

A person can also be charged with money laundering if they are found to be in possession, transporting, transferring, or investing funds they knew were the proceeds of criminal activity. Any attempt to hide the source of these funds or make them appear legitimate can lead to a money laundering charge. 

It is crucial to note that defending against these charges requires an in-depth understanding of the law, criminal procedure, and case law surrounding money laundering. At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, our experienced team is ready to provide this level of defense.

Money Laundering Penalties in Texas

The severity of the punishment for money laundering in Texas depends on the amount of money involved in the transaction(s):

• For amounts between $2,500 and $30,000, the crime is charged as a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in jail. 
• If the amount is between $30,000 and $150,000, it is charged as a third-degree felony, punishable by 2-10 years in prison. 
• It becomes a second-degree felony when the total is between $150,000 and $300,000. This can get you 2-20 years in prison.
• If your total is over $300,000, you can be charged with a first-degree felony, which is punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison. 

In addition to jail time, money laundering penalties come with fines totaling up to $10,000 for convictions at the state level and fines of up to $500,000 at the federal level.

Defenses for Money Laundering Charges in Texas

At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we employ a variety of defenses to money laundering charges based on the specifics of your case. These include:

• Lack of Knowledge or Intent: One of the critical components of a money laundering charge is that the accused knew the money was obtained illegally and intended to make it appear legitimate. We can work to demonstrate that you were unaware of the origin of the money.
• Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution must provide enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were involved in money laundering.
• Money Laundering Under Duress: If you were coerced or threatened into participating in money laundering, we might argue that you were acting under duress. 
• Procedural Irregularities: We can scrutinize how the evidence was obtained. The evidence might be deemed inadmissible if law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during investigations or arrests.

Contact Our Dallas Money Laundering Lawyer Today

You might find yourself facing money laundering charges in addition to charges for other types of illegal activity. Regardless of the circumstances, you should hire a defense attorney quickly. The consequences of a conviction for money laundering and related offenses are often severe. You could face years in prison and a hefty fine of up to $500,000, depending on the amount of money allegedly involved.

Contact Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC today to meet with our money laundering lawyer in Dallas!