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One of the main white collar crimes is money laundering, which can take on various forms and practices. While money laundering is not exclusively white collar crime, it is often associated with fraud, bribery, and insider trading. White collar crime was established as a subset of criminal defense decades ago, beginning with the first money laundering cases. During the Great Depression era, many individuals looked for easy ways out of the poverty they so quickly found themselves in without committing heinous criminal acts. The option of white collar crime was not thought of as an egregious crime, but instead as a way to make money off of the company. However, white collar crime is often heavily prosecuted, especially the crime of money laundering.
If you have been suspected of money laundering in Houston Texas, do not hesitate to contact the experienced Houston money laundering defense attorneys at Mary E. Conn & Associates as soon as possible.
Money laundering charges often stem from a larger charges, such as drug trafficking or illegal gambling, and therefore are often the result of months of federal investigations. Money laundering is a term of art, defined by the United States Treasury to mean: “the process of making illegally-gained proceeds appear legal.”
Money laundering is also defined in the Texas Penal Code as an offense where a person knowingly:
Common crimes from which illegal funds are received (thereby leading to money laundering) include the following:
Our firm’s Houston money laundering defense attorney, Mary E. Conn, has practiced since 1985, is admitted to practice in Texas, and can effectively defend you against a full range of money laundering cases in Houston.
Money laundering can be either a federal or a state offense. Federal charges are often more severe than ordinary state criminal charges and require presentation before a federal judge. Federal courts differ from state courts in a number of ways, but most often in the terms of the resources that are available to investigate the charges. The main difference between federal and state penalties is often the amount of the fine. Fines for money laundering are often twice the value of the funds involved, while Texas fines for felonies are capped at $10,000, regardless of the funds at issue.
Money laundering in Houston, Texas results in the following penalties depending on the amount at issue:
| Amount of Funds | Felony Degree | Confinement |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 – $20,000 | State Jail Felony | 180 days – 2 years in state jail and/or fine up to $10,000 |
| $20,000-$100,000 | Third Degree Felony | 2-10 years in prison and/or fine up to $10,000 |
| $100,000-$200,000 | Second Degree Felony | 2-20 years in prison and/or fine up to $10,000 |
| $200,000 or more | First Degree Felony | 5-99 years in prison or life in prison and/or fine up to $10,000 |
During any money laundering trial, the prosecutor must be able to prove that the money at issue was the result of the proceeds of a crime. If the government is unable to prove this connection, there can be no conviction. To better understand your rights, contact a Houston money laundering defense attorney in Houston today.
If you have been arrested on charges of money laundering, do not hesitate to contact Mary E. Conn & Associates. Mary E. Conn has years of experience in handling all types of money laundering defense cases in Houston. Money laundering cases often require a thorough understanding of federal law, which many criminal defense attorneys do not have. Mary E. Conn is certified to practice before federal courts and will work closely with you in establishing your defense as a certified Houston money laundering defense attorney. Contact us at our Houston office today on (713) 357-4190 for your initial free consultation.