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Original poster

question about lawyers being paid by criminals

103 replies

TiramisuCheesecake · 18/12/2024 15:57

Just random pondering...

Watching an episode of 24 hours in Police Custody featuring a story about a woman being done for fraud to buy drugs, and the gang which supplied the drugs. The alleged ringleader of the drugs gang has a very flash lawyer with a flash car and was discussing with the police buying another flash car for £75k.

Now when you are defending these people - who were found guilty - isn't it pretty clear that the defendants are funding their legal representation with dirty money? So how does that work? You are literally being paid with proceeds of crime?

OP posts:

TizerorFizz · 20/01/2025 14:40

Basically criminal justice solicitors take the work. It’s not well paid so it’s just done. The reputation is doing a good job!

AlwaysLookOnTheSnarkSide · 20/01/2025 14:46

NewYearStillFat · 20/01/2025 14:14

@AlwaysLookOnTheSnarkSide there’s a whole host of crimes that attract big fees. Not all criminals have dirty money 🤔

Those that do will likely have a legitimate source of income together with the illegitimate source. It’s not really cleaning money is it - paying for a service. Much more likely to be an issue for someone buying a house etc. Most sophisticated money launderers will be able to show a legitimate source of funds.

Completely agree. I was just answering the OP.

the crime my acquaintance has been accused of carries no financial benefit at all, he’s made no money. There’s no question of that even if he’s found guilty. In fact whether innocent or guilty he will be tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/02/2026 08:13

Muthaofcats · 18/12/2024 19:36

Law firms go through rigorous anti money laundering checks to avoid precisely the situation you are talking about.

A neighbour of ours was struck off (and banged up) for fraud and money laundering, and when I later idly googled his unusual name I was naively shocked to see how many others were the same.

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