Have you ever heard of the term ‘contraband’? It refers to any item that’s illegal to possess, carry, trade, or produce. Drugs and firearms are two of the most common types of contraband travelers are caught attempting to bring into Mexico. But did you know Mexican authorities also charge travelers bringing in large sums of undeclared money with contraband and bulk cash crimes?

It’s legal to carry bulk cash worth $10,000 or more into Tijuana, provided you declare it. If you don’t, you’ll be detained by Mexican border officials and face criminal charges—and that’s when it’s worth calling a cross-border criminal lawyer ASAP. But why?

Here are the top four reasons why it’s worth hiring criminal defense lawyers for contraband and bulk cash crimes in Tijuana.

1. Prevent Self-Incrimination

Imagine facing stiff penalties for contraband and bulk cash crimes because you said something self-incriminating. It’d feel horrible! If you want to avoid this scenario, we recommend hiring a criminal defense lawyer to defend you against contraband and bulk cash charges in Tijuana.

According to Mexican law, you’re not legally required to answer self-incriminating questions or give self-incriminating testimony if you’re charged with smuggling contraband or large sums of cash. But how do you know which questions and statements are self-incriminating?

That’s where criminal justice attorneys come in. They’ll advise you on whether the goods in your possession count as contraband and what to say to the authorities if you’re charged with bringing bulk cash into Tijuana. This will ensure you have the best possible shot at countering the contraband and bulk cash crime charges against you.

2. Overcome Language Barriers

If you think attending a court hearing in Mexico is a nerve-racking experience, imagine not being able to understand what the prosecution and court officials are saying!

Unfortunately, this is a scenario in which countless non-Spanish-speaking travelers charged with contraband and bulk ash crimes in Tijuana find themselves. Their inability to speak Spanish and understand complex Spanish legalese weakens their ability to defend themselves and question the prosecution’s case. Additionally, they’re more likely to commit contraband and bulk cash crimes inadvertently because they simply don’t understand Mexican laws. So, how do you counter this?

The answer’s simple—hire a cross-border criminal lawyer! They’ll translate Mexican laws on contraband and bulk cash crimes for you while fighting your case. We recommend opting for bilingual criminal defense attorneys who are well-versed in Mexican law and can speak, write, read and understand Spanish legalese.

3. Save Money

It’s tempting to think hiring a criminal defense lawyer to defend you in contraband and bulk cash crimes case is a waste of money. But have you ever stopped to think about the long-term financial impact of hiring a criminal defense attorney in Tijuana?

While it’s true that criminal defense lawyers make over $460,000 a year in Mexico, they save their clients from potentially paying massive penalties. For instance, if you’re charged with smuggling drugs across the US-Mexico border, you’ll face a fine worth 150 days of your salary and up to 7.5 years in jail according to Article 195 bis of Mexico’s Federal Penal Code. Ask yourself—would you rather pay legal fees or lose almost 8 years’ worth of income? We’re willing to bet you’d choose the former!

4. Build a Well-researched Defense

Have you ever wondered how criminal justice lawyers spend hours defending clients while keeping up with the prosecution’s arguments simultaneously? It’s because they have a legal team that’s ready to help them build a well-researched defense!

Criminal defense lawyers often work with numerous paralegals who sift through Mexican laws on contraband and bulk cash crimes for supporting arguments. This ensures clients who are found to have bulk cash on their person and are charged with crimes like contraband smuggling or money laundering have the best defense possible.

For instance, suppose you’re charged with failing to declare that you have over $10,000 on your person when traveling to Tijuana. You had no idea it was illegal, your source of funds is legitimate, and you intend to use the money to start a legal business in Tijuana.

If you hire a cross-border crimes attorney, their team will look at every case like yours to overturn the charge and/or reduce the penalties you face!

Now that you know why it’s worth hiring a cross-border criminal lawyer in Tijuana to defend you against contraband and bulk cash crime charges, it’s time to find a reputable criminal defense lawyer. That’s where Meneses Legal comes in!

We’re a team of criminal defense lawyers in Tijuana with over 40 years of collective experience defending clients charged with contraband smuggling. We also help clients facing drug possession and gun crime charges as well as alleged cross-border sex crime and homicide charges. We operate in numerous locations including Ensenada, Baja California, and Playas de Tijuana.

You don’t have to face contraband and bulk cash crime charges alone. Contact us today and our team of bilingual criminal defense attorneys will do all they can to defend you!