Money Laundering Lawyer in Miami

Former Prosecutor with More Than 20 Years of Florida Criminal Law Experience

Money laundering is a white-collar crime involving financial transactions that prosecutors claim moved, used, promoted, or concealed proceeds from unlawful activity. An investigation may focus on bank deposits, wire transfers, digital assets, business accounts, real estate purchases, or other transactions connected to an alleged felony.

These allegations rarely depend on a transaction alone. Investigators may examine the source and movement of funds, account ownership, communications, business records, and whether the accused person knew the property came from criminal activity. Charges may be connected to a broader investigation involving drug trafficking, organized fraud, or another alleged offense.

Related allegations may include:

• Extortion or blackmail
• Financial or healthcare fraud
• Drug trafficking or trafficking in other illegal goods
• Unlicensed money transmission or structuring

If you’ve been charged, subpoenaed, contacted by investigators, or questioned about a transaction, prompt legal review matters. Our Miami money laundering attorneys can assess the alleged underlying offense, the government’s financial evidence, and the law it may use to pursue the case.

Facing charges? Schedule your free consultation with our Miami money laundering attorneys by calling (305) 400-0074.

Transactions That May Draw Investigative Scrutiny

Money laundering cases often arise within larger investigations. A transaction that appears unusual doesn’t establish criminal liability by itself. The analysis depends on the source of the funds, the accused person’s knowledge and intent, the purpose of the transaction, and the evidence supporting the government’s interpretation.

Investigators may examine allegations involving:

• Structured transactions: Deposits or withdrawals allegedly divided to avoid financial reporting requirements, sometimes called “smurfing”
• Business or shell accounts: Funds allegedly routed through companies, intermediaries, or accounts with unclear ownership
• Asset purchases: Real estate, vehicles, luxury goods, or other property allegedly purchased with criminal proceeds
• Commingled funds: Alleged criminal proceeds mixed with personal funds or legitimate business revenue
• Digital or international transfers: Value allegedly moved through digital assets, money transmitters, offshore accounts, or cross-border transactions
• Cash transactions: Large payments or deposits that investigators claim involved reporting or recordkeeping violations

A person may receive, deposit, transfer, or process money without knowing it’s connected to someone else’s alleged conduct. Our defense review separates the appearance of a transaction from the proof required under the specific Florida or federal statute.

Florida Money Laundering Charges & Penalties

The Florida Money Laundering Act, found in Florida Statutes section 896.101, addresses financial transactions involving proceeds of specified unlawful activity. “Specified unlawful activity” means criminal conduct identified by the statute as a potential source of unlawful proceeds. The prosecution’s theory must fit the applicable statutory language, including its requirements concerning knowledge, intent, and the transaction itself.

Florida’s offense classifications can depend on the total value of the financial transactions conducted during the applicable period. The current statutory thresholds begin at $300, $20,000, and $100,000.

Florida classifications generally include:

• Transactions totaling $300 or more but less than $20,000 may be charged as a third-degree felony.
• Transactions totaling $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 may be charged as a second-degree felony.
• Transactions totaling $100,000 or more may be charged as a first-degree felony.

The potential sentence depends on the charged subsection, current sentencing law, prior record, and other case-specific factors. A Florida investigation may also involve alleged structuring under section 896.104, reporting violations, seizure proceedings, asset forfeiture, or charges tied to the suspected source of the funds.

Federal Money Laundering Under Sections 1956 & 1957

Federal prosecutors may pursue money laundering allegations under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 18 U.S.C. § 1957, conspiracy provisions, or related statutes. Section 1956 includes transaction and transportation theories involving alleged unlawful proceeds and specified purposes such as promotion, concealment, or avoidance of reporting requirements. Section 1957 addresses knowingly conducting certain monetary transactions involving more than $10,000 in criminally derived property.

The $10,000 threshold doesn’t apply to every federal money laundering theory. It’s specifically associated with section 1957, while section 1956 has different transaction, knowledge, and intent requirements. Identifying the exact statute is essential before evaluating the evidence or potential exposure.

Depending on the allegations, a federal investigation may involve the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, DEA, or Homeland Security Investigations. Agents and prosecutors may rely on bank records, transaction histories, communications, business documents, digital evidence, subpoenas, search warrants, asset seizures, or cooperating witnesses.

Our firm represents clients in federal criminal matters. Attorney Armando J. Hernandez’s background as a former prosecutor provides insight into how the government may organize financial evidence and connect a transaction to alleged fraud, drug trafficking, tax offenses, sanctions violations, or unlicensed money transmission.

Money Laundering Cases in Miami-Dade County

A Miami money laundering case may proceed under Florida law in state court or under federal law in the Southern District of Florida. Federal jurisdiction may be alleged when conduct involves interstate transactions, international transfers, federally regulated financial institutions, or an underlying federal offense. Not every local financial investigation becomes a federal case.

Identifying the court, investigating agency, charging statute, and alleged underlying activity helps define the defense strategy. A Miami-Dade investigation might involve claims concerning fraud, bulk-cash movement, drug trafficking, unlicensed money transmission, or international financial activity, but the relevant issues depend on the evidence in the individual case.

At Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., we handle state and federal criminal defense matters. Attorney Hernandez was born and raised in Miami and represents people in the area and throughout Florida. Our familiarity with both systems allows us to evaluate the procedures and evidentiary issues that apply in the jurisdiction where the case is pending.

How We Evaluate a Money Laundering Case

Our money laundering defense lawyers examine more than an account balance or a suspicious-looking transfer. We assess what the prosecution claims happened, how it connects the property to alleged unlawful activity, and whether its evidence establishes the knowledge or intent required by the charged statute.

Our review may address:

• Source of funds: Whether the evidence reliably connects the money or property to specified unlawful activity
• Transaction path: Who owned, controlled, transferred, received, or benefited from the funds
• Knowledge and intent: Whether communications and surrounding circumstances support the mental state required by law
• Financial records: Whether bank statements, business records, transaction histories, and digital evidence support or contradict the government’s theory
• Search methods: Whether investigators lawfully obtained records, devices, statements, or property
• Related consequences: Whether the case includes asset forfeiture, detention issues, conspiracy allegations, or charges tied to the alleged source offense

We can respond during an investigation, review discovery after an arrest or indictment, litigate appropriate motions, communicate with prosecutors, and prepare the case for trial when necessary. No single defense applies to every allegation. Potential issues may include lack of knowledge, lack of required intent, legitimate transactions, unreliable financial tracing, witness credibility, or unlawful searches and seizures.

Attorney Hernandez has more than 20 years of legal experience in Florida criminal law. We provide personalized representation, maintain communication as the case develops, and offer Spanish-language legal services for clients who prefer to discuss their case in Spanish.