Options Beyond Prison for Major Corporate Money Laundering

 Posted on November 30, 2023 in Criminal Defense

When a corporation is charged with large-scale money laundering, years of incarceration often seem like the only outcome. However, there are alternatives to prison, depending on case specifics and negotiated pleas. Securing non-prison sentences involves thorough investigation and creativity from a Texas lawyer.

Determine Eligibility for Pretrial Diversion

For first-time corporate offenders, pretrial diversion programs may offer an alternative pathway while providing accountability. Options like restorative justice sessions aim to avoid prolonged prosecutions when constructive intervention could serve the public interest. However, required admissions of misconduct may conflict with a defendant’s interests. A lawyer will carefully weigh eligibility criteria and expected outcomes to determine if attempting this early resolution avenue will benefit the corporation.

Sentencing Guidelines and Precedents

If conviction occurs, sentencing guidelines and previous court rulings allow room for advocacy. An attorney will thoroughly research comparable large-scale money laundering convictions, identifying cases where unique circumstances warranted more lenient sentences. Judges have discretion when guidelines are deemed overly punitive for a defendant’s degree of involvement. Precedents illuminate what arguments and evidence incentivized prior mercy.

Proposing Alternative Corporate Punishments

Rather than focus on incarcerating individuals, an attorney may propose alternative corporate penalties to enact accountability without irreparable destruction. Options include:

• Substantial entity fines
• Mandated audits
• Revoking licenses and contracts
• Asset seizure
• Dissolving business units
• Bans for responsible executives
• Other sanctions with lasting commercial impact

The lawyer must compellingly demonstrate how such options achieve justice and deterrence without imprisonment’s devastation. 

Non-prison sentences remain possible even for extensive commercial criminality. The court must be convinced that the public good and reform of the entity can be achieved through means other than imprisoning those at the top. With due diligence examining all alternatives, the devastation of prison time may still be avoidable, even in major cases.

Avoiding Irreparable Harm

Criminal charges can immediately devastate personal lives and corporate infrastructure. Defense counsel’s duty is charting an advocacy course that avoids irreparable harm for their client when possible while also serving the demands of fair law enforcement. For white-collar offenses like money laundering, alternatives to imprisonment, if diligently negotiated, can deliver accountability without permanent damage.

Contact a Tarrant County, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing a serious money laundering charge, you owe it to yourself to see if you can minimize it. A Fort Worth, TX criminal defense attorney can help see if your case has anything to prove that you should have a lesser charge. Call The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. at 214-544-0061 for a free consultation.