Money Laundering Criminal Defense in Salisbury

Trusted Defense Against Money Laundering Charges in Salisbury, MD

At MacDonald Law Office, LLC, we understand the impact of money laundering charges on your life. As a Salisbury-based law firm, we provide comprehensive criminal defense services. Founders Andrew and Cynthia MacDonald bring a unique blend of prosecutorial and defense perspectives to devise robust strategies tailored to your case. 

Our experience handling complex financial crimes equips us to address the nuances of money laundering allegations, be they domestic or international. Each case requires a unique approach, considering factors such as the scale of the operation, entities involved, and jurisdiction-specific prosecution tendencies.

Salisbury’s proximity to major financial hubs often results in heightened scrutiny from regulatory bodies. This adds complexity to money laundering cases, necessitating a defense team that is both locally knowledgeable and tactically astute. Our commitment is not just to defend your rights but also to simplify legal processes, keeping you informed and confident in the steps ahead. We strive to minimize disruptions to your personal and professional life, working diligently for a resolution that prioritizes your interests.

Facing a money laundering charge? We are former prosecutors offering free consultations and 24/7 availability. Contact a money laundering attorney in Salisbury to protect your rights. Call (410) 348-7809 or reach out online.

Understanding Money Laundering Laws in Maryland

In Maryland, the laws governing money laundering and other financial crimes are complex and are often prosecuted at both the state and federal levels. Federal money laundering is a distinct and often more severe charge, defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and § 1957. State charges for money laundering are primarily found in the Maryland Criminal Law Article, Title 5, Subtitle 6, which specifically deals with money laundering related to controlled dangerous substances. 

Historically, Maryland's state money laundering laws were tied only to drug crimes. However, recent legislative changes have expanded this, allowing for money laundering charges to be brought in relation to a wider variety of illegal activities. This is a crucial detail that a knowledgeable money laundering attorney in Salisbury will meticulously analyze to build a strong defense. 

Key Elements the Prosecution Must Prove

To secure a conviction for money laundering, the prosecution must prove several key elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

• Knowledge: The state or federal government must prove that you knew the funds you were dealing with were the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity. This is the most crucial element and often the most difficult for the prosecution to prove. A simple mistake or an error in a financial transaction is not enough.
• Proceeds of a Specified Unlawful Activity: The state must prove that the funds were the proceeds of a criminal activity. For state charges, this may be tied to a drug crime or another felony. For a federal charge, this is a broad category of over 200 "specified unlawful activities," including drug crimes, fraud, and a wide variety of financial crimes.
• Prohibited Act: The prosecution must prove that you performed a specific act with the intent to either conceal the source, location, ownership, or control of the funds, or to promote further criminal activity. Examples of a prohibited act include:
  • Depositing money in a bank account under a false name.
  • Purchasing a vehicle or property with illegal funds.
  • Engaging in a financial transaction with the intent to evade taxes or reporting requirements.

The prosecution's case often relies on a combination of financial records, bank statements, witness testimony, and the testimony of forensic accountants. As a seasoned Salisbury money laundering lawyer, we will challenge the government's evidence at every turn, scrutinizing the methods used to collect and analyze the evidence and questioning the credibility of their witnesses.

Classifications and Penalties for Money Laundering Offenses

In Maryland, money laundering is a serious criminal offense. The penalties increase significantly with the amount of money laundered and whether the offense is a state or federal crime.

• State Charges: A conviction for state-level money laundering related to controlled dangerous substances carries severe penalties, with the fines and incarceration increasing based on the value of the funds involved.
• Federal Charges: This is a distinct and often more severe offense. A conviction for federal money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. A conviction for a lesser federal charge under 18 U.S.C. § 1957, which involves engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property over $10,000, is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

A criminal record for a financial crime, such as money laundering, can follow you for the rest of your life, making it incredibly difficult to find employment, obtain professional licenses, or secure housing. Many employers and professional licensing boards have zero-tolerance policies for these convictions, and landlords often deny rental applications to those with a criminal record.

Additionally, a felony conviction will result in a permanent ban on owning or possessing a firearm. For non-citizens, a conviction can have severe immigration consequences, including deportation. The social stigma attached to these crimes can also damage your reputation and personal relationships.

What to Do After Being Charged with Money Laundering

1. Move deliberately and protect yourself from day one.
2. Stop speaking to investigators without counsel present—even “informal” chats are evidence.
3. Preserve records: bank statements, QuickBooks files, POS exports, invoices, contracts, emails, texts, and device backups.
4. Do not alter or destroy documents—that creates separate obstruction or tampering charges.
5. Identify key witnesses who can explain business purpose and cash-management practices.
6. List every account and platform (banks, processors, exchanges) so we can send preservation letters.
7. Tell us about all parallel inquiries (tax audits, licensing reviews) so we align strategy.

We convert chaos into a checklist. With a money laundering attorney in Salisbury coordinating the response, you avoid missteps that later become the prosecution’s centerpiece.