{"id":371813,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-money-laundering-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-26T13:55:41","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T18:55:41","slug":"california-money-laundering-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-money-laundering-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Money Laundering Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Money Laundering Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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"Money laundering" describes financial transactions made to further criminal activity or to process funds gained through criminal activity. Money laundering<\/a> might be used as a way to hide money gained unlawfully. A defendant may face money laundering charges brought under federal laws or California state laws. Those charged with money laundering also may face racketeering\/RICO<\/a> charges if they are involved in organized crime.<\/p>\n

Money Laundering Elements<\/h2>\n

In California, a state prosecutor must present evidence of financial transactions meeting criteria in the Penal Code. California money laundering law lists the types of activities qualifying as transactions, which include bank deposits, withdrawals, fund transfers, wire transfers, payments, and other financial activities. The defendant must have engaged in the transaction through a financial institution such as a bank, credit union, trust company, or other type of institution listed by state law.<\/p>\n

The defendant must have performed one transaction or a series of transactions within seven days, with a total value over $5,000. Alternatively, the defendant must have performed one transaction or a series of transactions within thirty days, with a total value over $25,000. Under state law, attempts to conduct business might qualify as money laundering even if the transaction does not go through successfully.<\/p>\n

In addition to showing evidence of the financial transactions, the prosecutor must establish the defendant’s intent to participate in money laundering. The prosecutor must show that the defendant made the financial transactions with an intent<\/a> to carry out, promote, or pay for criminal activities. Alternatively, the prosecutor can establish money laundering through evidence that the defendant acted with knowledge regarding the criminal source of the money.<\/p>\n

Overview of California Money Laundering Laws<\/h2>\n\n
Statutes<\/b><\/td>\nCalifornia Penal Code Sections 186.9-186.10<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>
Defenses<\/b><\/td>\nLack of knowledge regarding the source or intended purpose of the money<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Penalties<\/b><\/td>\n

The punishment for money laundering depends on the number of separate offenses, the value amount of the financial transactions, and the defendant’s prior conviction record.<\/p>\n