Money Laundering Lawyer Somerset County — Federal Financial Crime Defense
Money laundering is a serious federal crime prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, carrying severe penalties. If you are under investigation or charged, you need a Money Laundering Lawyer Somerset County with federal experience. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides defense for financial crimes. Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented case results.
What Is Money Laundering Under Federal Law?
Last verified: April 2026 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey | New Jersey Legislature
Money laundering, defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, involves knowingly conducting a financial transaction with proceeds from unlawful activity to conceal the source, ownership, or control of the funds, or to avoid a transaction reporting requirement. The crime has three main elements: (1) knowledge that the property involved represents proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, (2) a financial transaction, and (3) an intent to promote the carrying on of specified unlawful activity, conceal the nature of the proceeds, or avoid a state or federal reporting requirement. Conspiracy to commit money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) is a separate charge often brought alongside the substantive offense. Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm understands how federal prosecutors build these contested cases.
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of the federal money laundering statute, see 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (Cornell Legal Information Institute). For local court procedures and rules, visit the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey website.
- Initial Investigation: Federal agencies (FBI, IRS-CI, HSI) may subpoena bank records or conduct undercover operations.
- Grand Jury Indictment: A federal grand jury in Newark or Camden reviews evidence and issues an indictment.
- Arraignment & Detention Hearing: You appear in U.S. District Court, enter a plea, and the court decides on pretrial release or detention.
- Discovery & Motions: Your attorney reviews thousands of pages of financial discovery and files motions to challenge evidence.
- Plea Negotiations or Trial: Most federal cases resolve by plea, but your lawyer must be prepared to take a financial case to trial.
- Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the laundered amount and other factors.
Potential Penalties for Money Laundering in New Jersey
In Somerset County and across New Jersey, federal money laundering is a felony with penalties of up to 20 years in prison per count, fines of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, and mandatory asset forfeiture.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956) | Federal Felony | Up to 20 years | Up to $500,000 or 2x value | Asset forfeiture, restitution |
| Conspiracy to Launder Money (18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)) | Federal Felony | Same as substantive offense | Same as substantive offense | Asset forfeiture, restitution |
| Structuring (31 U.S.C. § 5324) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $500,000 | Civil penalties, forfeiture |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Financial Crime Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our attorneys bring a combined 120+ years of legal experience to every case. We have a documented record of 4,739+ case results firm-wide with a favorable outcome rate exceeding 93%. Our tagline, “Advocacy Without Borders,” reflects our commitment to vigorous defense in federal matters like money laundering. Mr. Sris, our managing attorney and a former prosecutor, provides strategic oversight on financial crime defenses, bringing a strategic understanding of how these cases are investigated and prosecuted.
Our Approach to Money Laundering Defense
Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We approach every money laundering case by first challenging the prosecution’s ability to prove you knowingly engaged in a transaction with illicit proceeds. We meticulously analyze bank records, business documents, and communication logs to find weaknesses in the government’s case. In financial conspiracies, we often work with forensic accountants. For a money laundering charge lawyer Somerset County clients can rely on, our team at SRIS, P.C. is prepared to defend you in federal court.
Contact Our Somerset County Money Laundering Defense Lawyers
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — New Jersey
44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (609)-983-0003
By appointment only.
Our New Jersey location serves clients in Somerset County, including Somerville, Bridgewater, Franklin Township, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Warren Township, Watchung, Bernardsville, and Bedminster. We offer 24/7 phone consultations. Meetings are by appointment only.
Money Laundering Defense FAQs
What is the difference between money laundering and structuring?
Yes, there is a key difference. Money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956) involves disguising the source of illegally obtained money. Structuring (31 U.S.C. § 5324) is the act of breaking down a large cash transaction into smaller amounts to avoid bank reporting requirements, regardless of whether the money is clean or dirty.
Can I be charged in New Jersey if the financial transactions happened elsewhere?
It depends. Federal jurisdiction for money laundering is broad. If a transaction passed through a New Jersey bank, involved a New Jersey business, or was part of a conspiracy that touched New Jersey, you can be charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, even if you live in Somerset County or elsewhere.
What are common defenses to federal money laundering charges?
Common defenses include lack of knowledge that the funds were criminal proceeds, absence of intent to conceal or promote illegal activity, entrapment, and challenging the legality of the evidence obtained (e.g., through an invalid search warrant). A skilled financial crime defense lawyer Somerset County can identify the best defense strategy for your case.
Does New Jersey have its own state money laundering law?
Yes. New Jersey has a state money laundering statute, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25. However, most significant money laundering cases are prosecuted federally by the U.S. Attorney’s Office due to greater resources and harsher penalties. You need an attorney experienced in both arenas.
What should I do if I am contacted by a federal agent about a money laundering investigation?
Politely decline to answer questions and immediately contact a federal criminal defense attorney. Do not attempt to explain, justify, or provide documents. Anything you say can be used against you. An attorney can communicate with investigators on your behalf to protect your rights from the very start.
Related Legal Services in Somerset County
If you are facing related charges, our firm also provides strong defense for: Business Law in Somerset County, Civil Litigation in Somerset County, and Federal Criminal Defense throughout New Jersey. For defense in nearby jurisdictions, see our pages for Federal Criminal Lawyer Bergen County and Federal Criminal Lawyer Burlington County.
Last verified: April 2026. The information on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance regarding your specific situation.
If you want to see how a Somerset County case fits into the wider process, our page on money laundering lawyer New Jersey covers it from start to finish.
Your case in Somerset County, New Jersey
Federal charges are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Newark, Trenton and Camden), not in county court; related state charges are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division. In Somerset County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Somerset Vicinage (13th Vicinage), 20 North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876, telephone (908) 231-7000, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is Title 18 of the United States Code and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Somerset County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Somerset County NJ lawyers directory · Money Laundering Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Money Laundering Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Money Laundering Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.