Smyrna Money Laundering Lawyer

Experienced Money Laundering Attorney in Smyrna, GA

Money laundering is a serious crime that occurs when someone takes steps to bring illegal, “dirty” money obtained through a criminal enterprise into the legitimate economy. It is a felony offense that carries significant penalties. If you’ve been accused, you should find a Smyrna money laundering lawyer to take on your case right away.

Work With The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman

Here at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman, we believe that every client deserves to have full protection under the law, so we are committed to providing a robust defense for our clients. Our lead attorney, Lawrence J. Zimmerman, has been practicing criminal defense law for over 25 years. In that time, he has effectively handled many serious money laundering cases. Let us defend you against these serious charges.

Reasons to Hire a Money Laundering Lawyer

In FY 2025, there were 1,170 federal money laundering cases reported to the United States Sentencing Commission, indicating a 41% increase since FY 2021. However, this statistic does not capture the full scale of the problem, which also involves charges brought at the state level. Whether you’re facing state or federal charges for money laundering, your first step should be to hire a money laundering lawyer who can work to protect you against them.

A money laundering attorney in Smyrna, GA can build a solid case and defend you in court. Your lawyer can handle everything from minor tasks, like keeping track of deadlines, to major pursuits, like collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. They can then provide courtroom representation at the Superior Court of Cobb County. Working with a skilled attorney is the most effective way to improve your odds of maintaining your freedom.

What Is Money Laundering?

Money laundering involves integrating dirty money, or funds obtained through illegal activity, into the legal economy. It’s called “laundering” because this process makes it appear “clean,” as though the person had earned it legitimately.

Federal criminal statutes have expanded the definition of money laundering to include several specific actions. This criminal activity involves using the proceeds from crimes to engage in financial actions that:

• Conceal the source or ownership of dirty money.
• Promote further crimes.
• Evade income taxes.
• Evade reporting requirements.

A money laundering case can also involve traveling in or through the U.S. Some cases may entail transporting illegal funds through interstate commerce with the intention of:

• Promoting criminal activities
• Distributing their proceeds
• Using a money-transmitting business to transmit funds that promote criminal activity

Spending over $10,000 of the proceeds gained from an illegal activity can also lead to money laundering charges.

Money laundering typically results from other crimes, known legally as predicate offenses.

Crimes Related to Money Laundering

There are many types of criminal activities related to money laundering under the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986. They include:

• Racketeering
• Drug trafficking
• Bank fraud
• Wire fraud
• Gambling
• Bribery
• Extortion

This federal law also extends to international money laundering schemes, prohibiting the moving of funds into or out of the U.S. for illegal purposes.

Penalties for Money Laundering

Money laundering is a federal felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, fines, and restitution to the victims if you are found in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956. It can result in up to 10 years in prison, fines, and restitution if you are found in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. In many cases, people tried under these laws are also charged with violations of federal racketeering laws.

Defenses Against Money Laundering Allegations

Defendants may have several ways to mount effective defenses against money laundering charges since the crime has several specific elements. You could argue that:

• The funds did not come from an illegal activity.
• You did not know about the funds’ illegal source.
• You did not know that the transaction was meant to launder the proceeds.
• The funds did not meet the value threshold for money laundering.

In some cases, entrapment is also an effective defense strategy against money laundering charges.

FAQs

What Are the Three Stages of Money Laundering?

The three stages of money laundering are placement, layering, and integration. These steps move illegal cash through the economy until it looks legal. Initial placement can be conducted through:

• Depositing cash into cash-heavy businesses
• Breaking it into smaller amounts to avoid bank alert limits
• Smuggling it across country borders

Layering involves hiding the money by moving it around in complex transactions. Integration is the placement of the money back into the normal economy.

What Is the Most Common Money Laundering Activity?

The most common money laundering activity is the opening of a cash-intensive front business, such as a car wash, bar, or laundromat. Money launderers then combine this with structuring to break large amounts of illegal cash into smaller deposits, thereby avoiding bank reporting rules and blending dirty money with legal income. Shell companies are also commonly used in money laundering schemes.

Is Money Laundering a Felony in Georgia?

Money laundering is a felony in Georgia under both state and federal law. This crime is aggressively prosecuted, and convictions can carry serious prison terms, heavy fines, and the seizure of assets. State penalties are often handled under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws, while federal cases are governed by 18 U.S.C. § 1956.

What Happens If You Are Convicted of Money Laundering in Georgia?

If you are convicted of money laundering in Georgia, you could face:

• Up to 20 years in prison
• Fines of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the transaction
• Asset forfeiture
• Mandatory restitution to victims

Many money laundering cases are prosecuted federally, leading to hefty prison sentences and additional penalties.

Your Smyrna Money Laundering Lawyer

If you’ve been accused of money laundering, you need to hire a Smyrna money laundering lawyer right away. The team at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman is here to help. We have been defending clients facing serious criminal charges such as these for years. We can leverage our knowledge of money laundering laws and the local court system to pursue the positive results you need in this kind of difficult case. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.