When facing a money laundering accusation, you need a solicitor who will build you a strong defence.
Allegations of money laundering can be daunting, with serious consequences for both individuals and businesses. However, with the right legal support, investigations can be navigated effectively, and in many cases, charges can be avoided altogether.
Our expert criminal defence solicitors offer tailored strategies to protect your reputation and interests, whichever form of investigation you’re facing.
FAQs
Money laundering is where an individual gains money from an illegal source and then attempts to make the money seem legitimate. A money launderer makes money seem legitimate by passing it through a complex web of bank transfers and transactions to disguise its true origin. Money launderers’ aim to get banks and other financial institutions to handle the “dirty money” without suspicion.
Therefore, if an individual conceals the origins of money, especially after it has passed through a sequence of transactions, it will raise money laundering suspicions and potentially an allegation.
Our money laundering solicitors outline the 3 main stages involved in money laundering:
1. Placement – this is when money launderers deposit money into a bank. Large amounts will sometimes be deposited in smaller amounts.
2. Layering – money is moved domestically or internationally with the intention of mixing it in with legitimately sourced funds to hide its origin.
3. Integration – essentially the successful ‘laundering’ of dirty money, this means the money is ready to be spent.
Some of the common examples of money laundering include:
1. Property laundering. Less common these days, property laundering involves buying properties for cash sums where the cash has been illegitimately gained. Changes in anti-money laundering regulations have successfully reduced opportunities to buy property with cash.
2. Casino and gambling laundering. A launderer purchases casino chips, which they later return for cash or transfer into their account. Casinos have checks in place these days to reduce this type of money laundering from taking place.
3. Trade-based laundering. This typically involves company directors who move money between businesses. To banks and HMRC, these transactions look like legitimate business transactions that are often mixed in among real business takings.
4. Forfeiture.This is where the police can seize cash sums of over £1,000 if they believe they have been illegitimately gained.
Money laundering cases can be tried in the Magistrates’ Court by magistrates or in the Crown Court by a judge and jury. Generally, it’s only the more severe money laundering cases that are tried in the Crown Court.
In cases heard in the Magistrates’ Court, the maximum punishment is 6 months imprisonment (12 months if you’re being tried for more than one offence). The fines for money laundering offences in the Magistrates’ Court are uncapped. Furthermore, in the circumstances of a forfeiture case, our money laundering solicitors’ experience is that you’re likely to have all the money permanently confiscated.
In contrast, if you are deemed guilty in the Crown Court, the maximum sentence you will receive is 14 years imprisonment. Additionally, like the Magistrates’ Court, there is no cap on a fine.
When it comes to a money laundering case, it’s impossible to provide you with a price estimate before knowing your matter in more detail. Our first step will always be to recommend an initial consultation with our solicitors. During this consultation, you’ll receive:
To book your initial consultation, please call our money laundering solicitors on 020 3007 5500.
Suppose you’re facing an accusation of laundering money or face forfeiture proceedings. In that case, you will need to consider the severe consequences if you’re found guilty. Even if you consider taking a guilty plea, a money laundering solicitor can build an argument for you to receive a lesser sentence.
By instructing a criminal solicitor who specialises in money laundering cases, it will ensure you have the following:
To contact one of our money laundering solicitors, please contact us on 020 3007 5500.
Britton and Time Solicitors are currently unable to offer legal aid in any capacity. We are a privately funded firm only. If you have had money seized, speak to a solicitor today to determine if you can realise some of the money to fund your legal matter.
Currently, the firm is not taking any pro bono work as we are at capacity.
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your matter, and we’ll help you arrange an initial consultation. You’ll get:
No fee surprises. Ever. Our solicitors in London and Brighton will inform you from the outset how much your case will cost and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
You are our priority and law is our speciality. Our award-winning solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
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