Fairfax, Virginia Money Laundering Defense Lawyers

Trusted Attorneys Defending Against Money Laundering Charges in Fairfax, VA

In Virginia, you can be charged with money laundering for knowingly carrying out a transaction with funds earned from a felony offense. This offense may also involve knowingly converting "dirty" money into electronic funds or a negotiable instrument for compensation. If you have been arrested for money laundering in Fairfax, the best course of action you can take is to get in contact with a criminal defense attorney who has experience handling complicated financial crimes.

At Robinson Law, PLLC, our lawyers have the acumen and the resources to take on charges of money laundering in court. When you work with our firm, we will analyze your case thoroughly, consulting with financial experts and other investigators to make sure nothing is overlooked in your defense. Our willingness to go the extra mile in criminal defense has helped establish our reputation for excellence, as evidenced by the 350+ 5-star reviews our firm has received from our clients.

What Constitutes Money Laundering?

"Money laundering" can refer to two distinct crimes in Virginia, but one has much harsher penalties than the other. The first definition of money laundering refers to using the proceeds of a felony offense in a financial transaction, when the accused knows where the money came from. Under this definition, "felony offense" means anything that is punishable as a felony across the country, not just in Virginia. A conviction for this charge comes with massive penalties, with the possibility of up to 40 years in prison and/or a fine no greater than $500,000.

The second definition of money laundering refers to the conversion of cash earned from a felony into electronic funds or a negotiable instrument in exchange for compensation. A first offense is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail and a possible $2,500 fine. On subsequent violations, however, this form of money laundering is charged as a Class 6 felony, with a prison sentence of one to five years and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

In practice, money laundering often involves funneling illegally earned cash into a legitimate business. Earnings from drug trafficking or fraud schemes may be laundered to attempt to hid criminal activities and make it appear as if the money was earned legitimately.

Fighting Charges of Money Laundering

If you have been detained for money laundering, you might be intimidated by prosecutors and law enforcement officers who insist that the evidence against you is insurmountable. In many cases, this is a scare tactic that is used to try to get you to confess and agree to their terms. A criminal defense attorney can work with you to develop a strategy for your defense, potentially arguing to the courts that:

• You were coerced or threatened into money laundering.
• You did not know about the criminal origin of the money involved.
• You had no intent to conceal the origin of the money.
• The evidence against you was seized in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.

Putting up a successful defense requires a careful examination of the facts behind your case, as well as knowledge of existing legal precedents. At Robinson Law, PLLC, our team of legal professionals will scrutinize the prosecutor's arguments from all angles, seizing upon any weaknesses that we find. We will work to help you prevent a conviction and resolve your case successfully.

Speak With a Fairfax Money Laundering Attorney

If you have been charged with money laundering in Virginia, your case will have high stakes. A seasoned criminal defense attorney can represent you fairly in a court of law, protecting your best interests until your case is concluded. At Robinson Law, PLLC, we know the law, and that knowledge ensures that we can fight for your rights with full confidence. To schedule a free consultation today, call our offices at 703-844-3746 or contact us online.