Title: California Penal Code Section 186.10 PC: Money Laundering
Headings: California Penal Code Section 186.10 PC: Money Laundering
California Penal Code Section 186.10 PC: Money Laundering
1. Definition and Elements of the Crime
2. Examples
3. Related Offenses
4. Defenses to Money Laundering
5. Penalties
6. Criminal Defense for Money Laundering Cases

Content: 4. Defenses to Money Laundering
If the person lacked the intent to launder money, or did not know that the funds in question were derived from a criminal source, there would be a legitimate Mistake of Fact defense. This shields banks and other financial institutions from prosecution where they simply provide banking services and are not part of a money laundering scheme. 5. Penalties
Money Laundering under Penal Code 186.10 PC is a "wobbler," which means that a prosecutor can file either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the factual circumstances and the defendant's criminal history. If prosecuted as a misdemeanor, Money Laundering can be punished by up to a year in jail and court fines. If prosecuted as a felony, a sentence can carry up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of money laundered, whichever is more. If a person has prior Money Laundering convictions, the maximum fine can be $500,000 or five times the laundered amount, whichever is greater. If the money laundered exceeds $50,000, an extra year in prison can be added to any sentence. An extra four years can be added if the amount laundered exceeds $2,500,000.