California Penal Code 186.10 Money Laundering

Under California Penal Code 186.10 money laundering is a financial crime referring to transactions intended to promote or facilitate criminal activities, or transactions knowingly made with proceeds from criminal activity.

To prove money laundering under Penal Code 186.10 the prosecutor must prove the following elements:

• Defendant conducted or attempted to conduct a financial transactions or a series of transactions through a financial institution.
• The total sum of transactions was more than $5,000 in a seven day period or more than $25,000 in a 30 day period.
• Defendant made the transaction with intent to promote criminal activity or he knew that the money involved were from the proceeds of criminal activity.

What Qualify as “Transactions” in Money Laundering Cases?

Money laundering is the act of using stolen funds to conduct a transaction through a bank or some other financial institution. California law lists the types of activities which can qualify as transactions, those are: withdrawals, bank deposits, wire transfers, fund transfers, payments, and other financial activities. Attempts to conduct business can also qualify as money laundering even if the transaction isn’t finished. In case the funds are used for making purchase or for any other reason, they won’t be considered to have been laundered under California law.

California Health & Safety 11370.9 Money Earned From Drug Crimes

In California there are two specific laws that relate to money laundering: California Penal Code Section 186.10 and California Health and Safety Code Section 11370.9. Penal Code Section 186.10 deals with money that is related to any type of criminal activity, California Health & Safety Code covers money earned from drug crimes.

Health & Safety Code Section 11370.9

In order to be convicted of Health & Safety Code Section 11370.9 money laundering in connection with drug crimes, the prosecutor needs to prove the following elements:

• Defendant received, acquired, or engaged in a transaction involving money or property that he knew was derived from a controlled substances offense, such as selling or transportation of a controlled substance;
• Defendant committed the money laundering transaction with intent to conceal the illegal source of money;
• The total amount of laundered money was more than $25,000 in a thirty day period.

Criminal Charges for Money Laundering of Drug Proceeds

In contrast Health & Safety Code doesn’t require the money to pass through a bank or other financial institution. A person can be charged with money laundering of drug proceeds even if the money was never converted from cash.

Penalties for Money Laundering in California Misdemeanor

In California law both forms of money laundering are considered wobblers. Penalties for misdemeanor money laundering include:

• Up to one year in county jail; and/or
• Fine of up to one thousand dollars

Penalties for Felony Money Laundering Penal Code 186.10 Charges

Penalties for felony money laundering under Penal Code 186.10 include:

• Sentence of sixteen months, two or three years in county jail; and/or (the sentence increases in case the amount of money laundered is more than $50,000)
• Fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount of money laundered (the fine increases if is not the first conviction for money laundering)

Penalties for Felony Health & Safety Code 11370.9 Charges

Penalties for felony Health & Safety Code 11370.9 criminal charges include:

• Two, three, or four, years in state prison; and/or
• Fine up to $250,000 or twice the amount laundered

Money Laundering Video

California Money Laundering Defense Lawyer

Hire the most dedicated California money laundering defense lawyer to help defend and fight your Penal Code 186.10 charges. Our attorneys at KAASS LAW are highly dedicated to help our clients in every way possible. You can rely on our experienced lawyers in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, to carefully analyze the facts of your case to prove the facts necessary. We back all of our clients and we invite you to give us a toll free call at (310) 943-1171 to speak to our experienced Glendale criminal battery attorney today. Get in touch with us at KAASS LAW, 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205, (310) 943-1171 at any time.