Money Laundering Attorney in Ocean County

Jackson NJ Money Laundering Lawyers

Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity in Ocean County, NJ

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 is the pertinent New Jersey Statute concerning what is commonly referred to as money laundering. Money laundering can be conducted on a variety of scales. It does not always involve millions of dollars in illicit gains from the sale of narcotics, as sensationalist television and cinema would lead you to believe. In its most basic form, money laundering involves the transportation or possession of property known or which a reasonable person would believe to be derived from criminal activity. This means that immediate family members who are caught in the net of their child, sibling or parents actions could be charged with money laundering even if their conduct was minimal. If the money derived from stolen property then you will often see charges such as Theft by Deception as companion charges. The gradation and severity of your charges for financial facilitation of criminal activity will depend solely on the amount of money involved. In certain circumstances, money laundering may be a first degree felony offense that carries between 10 and 20 years in prison.

Use your available time to seek out the best representation possible for your criminal charges. Finding the right attorney can mean the difference between a long prison sentence and a not guilty verdict. Call today at 848-238-2100.

Detention Hearing for Money Laundering

Pursuant to the new bail reforms, a person charged with money laundering now runs the risk of being detained in the Ocean County Jail, without bail, pending trial. In order for that to occur though, the prosecution must file for and successfully argue for your detention at a Detention Hearing. For more information on Detention Hearings in New Jersey, please contact our Point Pleasant office at 848-238-2100.

Money Laundering Laws in New Jersey

There are 4 statutorily prohibited acts for money laundering in New Jersey, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25. They are as follows:

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(a)

  • The defendant knowingly transported or possessed property; and
  • The defendant knew or a reasonable person would have believed that the property was derived from criminal activity.

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(b)(1)

  • The defendant knowingly engaged in a transaction involving property; and
  • The defendant knew, or a reasonable person would have believed, that the property was derived from criminal activity; and
  • That the defendant’s intent was to facilitate or promote criminal activity.1

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(b)(2)

  • The defendant knowingly engaged in a transaction involving property; and
  • The defendant knew, or a reasonable person would have believed, that the property was derived from criminal activity; and
  • The defendant knew that the transaction was designed in whole or in part:
    • to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership or control of the property derived from criminal activity; or
    • to avoid a transaction reporting requirement under the laws of this State or any other state or of the United States.

N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(c)

  • The defendant knowingly directed, organized, financed, planned, managed, supervised or controlled the transportation of or transactions in property; and
  • The defendant knew or a reasonable person would have believed that the property was derived from criminal activity;

There is a lot to digest and understand with all of these different forms of money laundering. The simplest way I like to describe it for those unfamiliar is that, if what you are purchasing, selling, transfer or transacting was obtained through criminal activity, then you are likely to be committing the crime of money laundering.

Does Money Laundering Only Involve Money?

No, money laundering is the shorthand terms for Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity. What the law is looking for is transactions of property. “Property” means anything of value, including, but not limited to, real estate, tangible and intangible personal property, trade secrets, contract rights, choses in action and other interests in or claims to wealth, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, electric, gas, steam or other power, financial instruments, information, data and computer software, in either human readable or computer readable form, copies or originals. Property also includes any benefit or interest without reduction for expenses incurred for acquisition, maintenance or any other purpose.

Penalties for Money Laundering Brick, NJ

As previously discussed, the statutory penalties for money laundering are dependent upon the value of property involved. The possible felony offenses and their respective penalties are as follows:

Third Degree Money Laundering Offenses in NJ: Where the amount of laundered property is below $75,000.00, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Ocean will indict you for third degree money laundering. If convicted, you will be faced with a prison term of 3 to 5 years and fine of $35,000.00.

Second Degree Money Laundering: Where the amount of laundered property is between $75,000 and $500,000, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Ocean will indict you for second degree money laundering. If convicted, you will be faced with a prison term of 5 to 10 years and fine of $150,000.00.

First Degree Money Laundering: Where the amount of laundered property exceeds $500,000, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Ocean will indict you with first degree money laundering. If convicted, you will be faced with a prison term of 10 to 20 years and fine of $200,000.00.

Money Laundering Attorney in Ocean County NJ

If you have been accused of money laundering, theft by extortion, burglary, robbery, shoplifting or any other theft related offense, contact our Ocean County attorneys. Our firm has handled matters out of Toms River, Stafford, Lacey, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Lakewood, Jackson and Brick. Come and sit down with a trial attorney to determine what can be done for your case. We are available 24/7 at 848-238-2100.