What You Need to Know
In Los Angeles and across California, carrying cash—whether in your pocket, your car, or even through an airport—is not a crime. There are no state or federal laws that make simply possessing cash illegal. However, carrying large amounts of cash can raise red flags with law enforcement, leading to seizures, detentions, and sometimes civil forfeiture proceedings—even when no criminal charges are filed.
If you're wondering whether you're at risk for criminal scrutiny because you're carrying cash, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.
Carrying Cash Is Legal—But It Can Trigger Police Action
There is no California Penal Code section that limits the amount of cash you can legally carry. You can walk around with $100, $10,000, or even $100,000 in your briefcase—and that alone does not constitute probable cause for a crime.
But despite that legal reality, officers are trained to view large amounts of currency with suspicion, especially in the context of:
- Traffic stops
- Airport screenings
- Drug enforcement stings
- Interstate or international travel
This means even if you’re carrying legally obtained funds—for business purposes, a car purchase, or personal savings—you may still be detained and questioned, and in some cases, your money could be seized.
Can Police Take Your Money Without Charging You With a Crime?
Yes, and it happens more often than most people realize.
In California, law enforcement can initiate a process called civil asset forfeiture, which allows the government to seize property—including cash—suspected of being connected to criminal activity. Importantly:
- You do not have to be convicted of a crime for your money to be seized.
- In some cases, you don't even have to be arrested.
- Officers may claim that the cash is connected to drug trafficking, money laundering, or fraud based on circumstantial indicators like how the money is packaged or the route of travel.
These seizures often happen during traffic stops or airport encounters. Law enforcement may cite things like “cash wrapped in rubber bands,” “hidden compartments,” or “inconsistent explanations” as justification.
Key takeaway: Carrying cash is not a crime, but law enforcement can still take your money if they suspect wrongdoing—and you’ll have to fight to get it back.
Getting Your Seized Cash Back
If police take your money, getting it back isn’t automatic—you must affirmatively challenge the seizure through a formal legal process called civil asset forfeiture. This usually involves responding to a forfeiture notice within strict deadlines (sometimes as short as 30 days), filing a written claim under penalty of perjury asserting ownership, and providing documentation that the cash came from a legitimate source. In many cases, the government will try to keep the money unless you contest the forfeiture in court, which can require hearings, financial records, sworn statements, and legal arguments. Because the government only needs to show the money is “more likely than not” tied to criminal activity, people often lose their cash without ever being charged with a crime. An experienced attorney can file the claim, prevent missed deadlines, challenge the basis of the seizure, and fight for the return of your money.
Is It Legal to Travel With Large Sums of Cash?
Yes, but you must know the difference between domestic and international travel.
Domestic Flights
- There is no law limiting how much cash you can carry on a domestic flight.
- TSA agents may alert law enforcement if they discover large amounts of cash in your carry-on or luggage.
- You may be questioned by police or Homeland Security, but you are not required to answer unless under legal detention.
Reminder: TSA’s primary function is safety, not law enforcement—but they can refer cases to local or federal authorities.
International Flights
- If you’re traveling internationally, you must declare any amount over $10,000 in currency (including money orders and traveler’s checks) using FinCEN Form 105.
- Failure to declare can result in the seizure of all your cash and civil or criminal penalties, even if the money is legally earned.
Why Would Police Be Suspicious of Cash?
Law enforcement often associates large amounts of cash with:
- Drug trafficking
- Illegal gambling
- Prostitution rings
- Human trafficking
- Money laundering
However, innocent people regularly carry cash for:
- Buying a used car
- Traveling for business or pleasure
- Attending cash-only events
- Keeping savings outside the banking system
- Small business transactions
- Cultural or personal preferences
Bottom line: Having cash does not mean you're doing something illegal. But that doesn’t always stop officers from treating it like a crime scene.
What to Do If You’re Stopped With Cash
If police stop or question you about the cash you’re carrying, here’s what you should remember:
- Stay calm and courteous: Being rude or aggressive will not help your case.
- Do not consent to a search: Politely say, “I do not consent to any searches.”
- Do not lie: Lying to law enforcement is a crime. You can remain silent without making false statements.
- Ask if you’re free to go: If you’re not being detained, you have the right to leave.
- Contact a lawyer immediately if your money is seized: Time is of the essence in civil asset forfeiture cases.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners, we understand how frustrating it is to be treated like a criminal for simply carrying cash. If law enforcement has seized your money or questioned you about large amounts of currency, you need a lawyer who understands both California criminal law and Federal Forfeiture procedures.
We help clients:
- Challenge unlawful seizures
- File claims to recover cash
- Protect their rights during police interactions
- Respond to government forfeiture notices
Know Your Rights - Keep Your Cash
Carrying cash in California isn’t a crime—but it can invite unwanted attention from police. Don’t wait until your money is taken to get help. If you’ve been detained, searched, or your cash has been seized in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, call our office today for a free consultation at (213) 481-6811. You have rights. We help you protect them.