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Money Laundering AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION

Our Panama City Firm Has Much to Offer. Learn Why People Choose Shepard Law.

Money Laundering Attorney in Panama City

Facing Money Laundering Charges? We Protect Your Reputation & Future in Florida

If you are confronting money laundering charges in Panama City, the impact on your personal and professional life can be significant. Careers, reputations, and even family stability may be at risk from the moment of an arrest or investigation. 

While every financial crime allegation is serious, money laundering cases bring especially complex challenges and high stress. The risks are real, from the possibility of public exposure to the potential loss of employment and direct consequences under Florida law. 

That is why our team at Shepard Law is focused on immediate, client-centered support. We guide individuals accused of money laundering in Panama City through their options quickly, so you can regain control and start building a plan for a better future.

Our free consultations and 24/7 hotline make it easy to get answers any time. Someone from our team is always available to listen and help you understand your next steps, day or night.

Do not delay—Contact a Panama City money laundering lawyer at Shepard Law today by calling (850) 290-2505 or by filling out our online form.

Understanding Money Laundering Laws in Florida

Money laundering is a financial crime that involves knowingly conducting transactions with funds derived from criminal activity, often to conceal the true source of those funds. 

Under Florida Statute 896.101, these accusations can arise from various scenarios, including complex financial transactions, business arrangements, or what may start as misunderstandings related to legitimate business activities.

The Florida Money Laundering Act criminalizes any person who knowingly conducts or attempts to conduct a financial transaction involving the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity with two primary goals:

  • To promote or carry on specified unlawful activity; OR
  • To conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds of specified unlawful activity.

The law is broadly written and covers any movement of funds by wire, check, money order, or virtual currency. The severity of the charge is determined by the total value of the transactions involved over a 12-month period, not just the original underlying crime.

Felony Classifications Based on Value

  • Transactions of $100,000 or more
    • First-degree felony
    • Potential prison sentence: Up to 30 years in Florida State Prison
  • Transactions of $20,000 to less than $100,000
    • Second-degree felony
    • Potential prison sentence: Up to 15 years in Florida State Prison
  • Transactions of $300 to less than $20,000
    • Third-degree felony
    • Potential prison sentence: Up to 5 years in Florida State Prison
Facing a first- or second-degree felony exposes the client to decades in prison. This is why retaining an aggressive money laundering criminal defense attorney in Panama City is non-negotiable.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Money Laundering Convictions in Florida

A conviction for money laundering in Florida carries severe criminal penalties, including mandatory prison time, and also exposes the defendant to crushing financial liability through fines and asset forfeiture.

Financial and Forfeiture Consequences

  • Criminal Fines: In addition to standard felony fines, the court may impose a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the financial transactions, whichever is greater.
  • Civil Penalty: The convicted person is also liable for a civil penalty not exceeding the value of the financial transactions or $25,000, whichever is greater.
  • Asset Forfeiture: All property, funds, and monetary instruments used in violation of the Money Laundering Act or traceable to the violation are subject to civil forfeiture under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. This allows the State to seize houses, cars, bank accounts, and business assets, often before a conviction is even reached.

Collateral Consequences

  • Permanent Bar to Licensure: A conviction for a felony involving money laundering is a permanent bar to obtaining or retaining a license in the financial services or insurance industries.
  • Permanent Felony Record: Felony convictions are extremely difficult to expunge and create a permanent bar to professional employment, credit, and investment opportunities.
  • Federal Risk: A state money laundering conviction often triggers parallel federal investigations, which carry even stricter penalties under 18 U.S. Code 1956.

The Florida Criminal Defense Process for Money Laundering Charges

Defending a money laundering case in Panama City requires a specialized team capable of analyzing intricate financial data. Our commitment to being available 24/7 ensures we act immediately to protect your assets and freedom.

  • Immediate Asset Protection: Because of the threat of civil forfeiture, our first step is to file motions to challenge the probable cause for the seizure and assert the "innocent owner" defense to protect your property from immediate seizure by Bay County authorities.
  • Financial Forensic Investigation: We don't rely on the State’s numbers. We work with forensic accountants and financial experts to trace the funds, providing an alternative, legitimate explanation for the transactions and challenging the State's valuation used to enhance the felony degree.
  • Challenging Knowledge and Intent: We leverage our insight as former prosecutors to argue that the client lacked the required "knowledge" that the money was illicit. We argue the client was acting as a financial intermediary, accountant, or business owner who was unknowingly manipulated by another party.
  • Motions to Dismiss and Suppress: We challenge the constitutional validity of the police subpoenas or warrants used to access bank accounts and financial records. If the State's evidence was obtained illegally, we move to have it suppressed under the Fourth Amendment.
  • Mitigation and Sentencing: Even if conviction is unavoidable, we focus on mitigating the financial impact, fighting the dual fines (up to twice the transaction value), and advocating forcefully against the most severe prison sentences.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Money Laundering Defense

When you choose Shepard Law as your Panama City money laundering lawyer, you are retaining a legal team whose background as former prosecutors provides an invaluable edge in complex financial litigation.

Specific defense strategies we employ include:

  • The Transaction Value Challenge: We audit the State’s calculation of the $100,000 and $20,000 thresholds, looking for errors that could drop the charge from a First-Degree Felony to a lesser offense, thereby saving decades of prison time.
  • The Legitimate Source Defense: We demonstrate that the transactions were tied to a legitimate, albeit complex, business source (e.g., real estate, legal cannabis business, or investment), thereby refuting the claim that the proceeds were from "unlawful activity."
  • Challenging the "Specified Unlawful Activity": We force the prosecution to prove the underlying felony crime that generated the proceeds, and then attack the elements of that crime, knowing that if the underlying crime is not proven, the money laundering charge cannot stand.
  • Entrapment Defense: We raise the defense of entrapment in cases where law enforcement or an informant induced the client to commit the crime when they were not predisposed to do so.

Why Shepard Law: Strategic Defense from a Former Prosecutor

When your future is on the line, you need more than just determination. Our team at Shepard Law stands out for a reason: Rusty Shepard, the founding attorney, previously served as a prosecutor in Northwest Florida. 

This experience gives us a real advantage as a money laundering criminal lawyer in Panama City. We know how financial crime charges are built and how to anticipate a prosecutor’s strategy in the courtroom.

We build defense strategies around each client’s needs, considering your background and every detail of your case. Over the years, our team has developed deep familiarity with the prosecutors and judges in Panama City. 

This local insight helps us advocate more effectively for clients facing high-stakes situations. We strive to resolve every case with minimal impact on your reputation, record, and peace of mind, and our personalized approach sets us apart.

What to Do If You’ve Been Accused: Steps to Protect Yourself

Being accused of money laundering brings immediate pressure and uncertainty. The choices you make in the first moments after learning about an investigation matter greatly. Do not speak with investigators, law enforcement, or anyone connected to the case unless you have a defense lawyer by your side.

Follow these critical steps to guard your rights and future:

  • Avoid discussing your case without legal counsel. Anything you say could later be used by the prosecution, even if you believe your conversation is harmless.
  • Keep all written communications and notes. Save letters, emails, or messages from investigators and write down the details of any conversation you have about the allegations.
  • Reach out to Shepard Law quickly. Our 24/7 hotline connects you directly to a money laundering criminal lawyer in Panama City, ensuring prompt guidance and support from the start.

Taking these actions gives your defense the best possible foundation and helps prevent avoidable mistakes. Our team is here to walk you through every step and answer your questions at any time.

Talk to a Panama City Money Laundering Defense Lawyer Today

When you face a money laundering charge, connecting with a skilled defense lawyer quickly can make a major difference. Early action means you have people on your side who know the law, understand the Panama City court system, and put your privacy first.

At Shepard Law, we combine prosecutor insight, round-the-clock support, and a personal commitment to every client we serve. We know the Panama City legal landscape and are ready to guide you with clear, confident advice from start to finish. Safeguard your reputation and take control of your case today.

Call Shepard Law for a confidential, free consultation any time, day or night: (850) 290-2505

What Sets Shepard Law Apart?

Your case is our priority. We aim for the best outcome.

We understand the complexities of the legal system and the impact on your life. Our focus is on securing your future.

  • Available 24/7
  • Former Prosecutors
  • Free Initial Consultation
  • Over Four Decades of Experience
  • Superb Rating on Avvo
  • Handled 10,000+ Cases

cLIENT fEEDBACK

Our clients' voices matter. Read about real cases and the positive outcomes achieved with our legal guidance.

    Personable and understanding
    “Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!”
    - Lauren
    Sweetest, kindest, most Professional #1
    “Mr. Shepard and his staff are amazing! They went above and beyond to help me. I would not want anyone else on my team! I am young and despite that, he made sure that the judge saw me as a person and not just a young person. He and his office even spent extra time with me and attended to every single thousand question that I had. They could not get a better rating 10 stars!!”
    - Jessica
    Absolutely Recommend
    “Shepard Law is truly one of a kind!!! Their team of attorneys and support staff knows criminal law inside and out. They will take a case to trial with no fear and are a force to be seen in the courtroom!!!! They are compassionate and make their clients feel supported every single step of the way. They are flexible with payment options, which allows everyone to be able to receive TOP QUALITY representation. I would absolutely recommend Shepherd Law to any of my friends or family members without hesitation.”
    - Vanessa M.
    Absolutely Recommend!
    “Shepard Law is truly one of a kind!!! Their team of attorneys and support staff knows criminal law inside and out. They will take a case to trial with no fear and are a force to be seen in the courtroom!!!! They are compassionate and make their clients feel supported every single step of the way. They are flexible with payment options, which allows everyone to be able to receive TOP QUALITY representation. I would absolutely recommend Shepherd Law to any of my friends or family members without hesitation.”
    - Vanessa M.
    Under a time line!!!
    “My wife and I found out on a Monday that we needed a Defense Attorney on Tuesday for a family situation. I called the office and Megan quickly contacted Rusty and he reassured us that he would be at court on Tuesday and he would take care of everything. Those words were the most comforting we've heard as this came up not long after Hurricane Michael. Rusty and his office has no idea how much he helped us and how much we appreciate their quick response. Thank you will never cover how much you guys mean to us.”
    - Craig E.

Contact us for a Free consultation

At Shepard Law, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (850) 290-2505 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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