Miami Criminal Charges Attorney
Miami Money Laundering & Forfeiture Defense Attorney
Almost every major drug investigation or arrest is accompanied by a money-laundering
charge and asset forfeiture. If you have been charged with money laundering, or if
assets of yours have been seized in connection with a drug or other arrest, you need to
contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. A conviction can
not only result in incarceration; it can also wipe you out financially.
At the Law Offices of Bruce A. Alter we have represented many clients accused of
Money Laundering or involved in forfeiture proceedings. Both Money Laundering and
Asset Forfeiture are newly developing areas of the law. One who specializes in this
area will take advantage of new developments in this area.
Money laundering
Money laundering can involve many technical legal issues. Basically, money
laundering is a process through which income from illegal activities is disguised,
concealed, or made to look legitimate in order to avoid detection or to further criminal
activity. This allows the criminals to use the fruits of their illegal activity without raising
suspicions.
Money laundering cases allow the Government to seize large amounts of money
through asset forfeiture laws. Consequently, money laundering prosecutions are more
and more frequent. The government is authorized to forfeit not only money that can be
traced directly to criminal activity, but also any money that is "commingled" with the
tainted money. For example, the government may seek to forfeit all the money in a bank
account, even if they can trace only a small portion to illegal activity.
Money Laundering prosecutions are extremely complex. They most often turn on a
detailed analysis of financial and banking records. At the Law Offices of Bruce A. Alter
we often employ the services of a certified forensic accountant to join the criminal
defense team. An attorney must also be knowledgeable in the area of international
finance, as many of these prosecutions involve the transfer of monies outside the
country.
The penalties for money laundering include a sentence of up to twenty years in prison.
Additionally, a person convicted may be fined up to $500,000, or twice the value of the
money laundered. As with other Federal crimes, penalties are affected by the Federal
Sentencing Guidelines.
Asset forfeiture
In addition to criminal prosecution, the government may try to seize the property
involved in the criminal activity. The government can do this if they can show the asset
was used to facilitate the commission of a crime, or was purchased with proceeds
from the criminal activity. For example, if a house, car, boat, or plane was used to
facilitate the commission of a crime the government may attempt to confiscate it.
Likewise, if the house, car, boat, or plane was purchased with money derived from
illegal activities, the government can confiscate it. Each year both the Federal and
Florida governments make millions of dollars through forfeiture proceedings.
If you or someone you know has been served with legal papers indicating the
government is attempting to forfeit or confiscate assets, call the Law Offices of Bruce A.
Alter.
Free consultation: Contact Miami criminal defense attorney Bruce Alter if you have been
charged with money laundering or if your property is subject to a forfeiture proceeding.
Miami Money Laundering & Forfeiture Defense Attorney
Almost every major drug investigation or arrest is accompanied by a money-laundering
charge and asset forfeiture. If you have been charged with money laundering, or if
assets of yours have been seized in connection with a drug or other arrest, you need to
contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. A conviction can
not only result in incarceration; it can also wipe you out financially.
At the Law Offices of Bruce A. Alter we have represented many clients accused of
Money Laundering or involved in forfeiture proceedings. Both Money Laundering and
Asset Forfeiture are newly developing areas of the law. One who specializes in this
area will take advantage of new developments in this area.
Money laundering
Money laundering can involve many technical legal issues. Basically, money
laundering is a process through which income from illegal activities is disguised,
concealed, or made to look legitimate in order to avoid detection or to further criminal
activity. This allows the criminals to use the fruits of their illegal activity without raising
suspicions.
Money laundering cases allow the Government to seize large amounts of money
through asset forfeiture laws. Consequently, money laundering prosecutions are more
and more frequent. The government is authorized to forfeit not only money that can be
traced directly to criminal activity, but also any money that is "commingled" with the
tainted money. For example, the government may seek to forfeit all the money in a bank
account, even if they can trace only a small portion to illegal activity.
Money Laundering prosecutions are extremely complex. They most often turn on a
detailed analysis of financial and banking records. At the Law Offices of Bruce A. Alter
we often employ the services of a certified forensic accountant to join the criminal
defense team. An attorney must also be knowledgeable in the area of international
finance, as many of these prosecutions involve the transfer of monies outside the
country.
The penalties for money laundering include a sentence of up to twenty years in prison.
Additionally, a person convicted may be fined up to $500,000, or twice the value of the
money laundered. As with other Federal crimes, penalties are affected by the Federal
Sentencing Guidelines.
Asset forfeiture
In addition to criminal prosecution, the government may try to seize the property
involved in the criminal activity. The government can do this if they can show the asset
was used to facilitate the commission of a crime, or was purchased with proceeds
from the criminal activity. For example, if a house, car, boat, or plane was used to
facilitate the commission of a crime the government may attempt to confiscate it.
Likewise, if the house, car, boat, or plane was purchased with money derived from
illegal activities, the government can confiscate it. Each year both the Federal and
Florida governments make millions of dollars through forfeiture proceedings.
If you or someone you know has been served with legal papers indicating the
government is attempting to forfeit or confiscate assets, call the Law Offices of Bruce A.
Alter.
Free consultation: Contact Miami criminal defense attorney Bruce Alter if you have been
charged with money laundering or if your property is subject to a forfeiture proceeding.
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