Who We Are and What We Do

Asset forfeiture refers to the legal process by which the federal or state government initially confiscates private assets from citizens then permanently possesses them. Anything can be seized in forfeiture, provided the government believes it was involved in the commission of an offense. The particular properties seized are based on the kind of criminal act you committed and the exact situation. Common kinds of assets seized in asset forfeiture are:

• Bank accounts, cash, securities, or any other financial instrument.

• Vehicle, aircraft, and boats.

• Real estates, such as buildings or land.

• Controlled substances.

• Raw materials.

• Weapons.

• Electronic devices like computers and cell phones.

• Any other personal property.

Several state and federal statutes trigger property forfeiture. These laws permit government agencies to confiscate property by substantiating that the property is linked to unlawful activity. The link between the unlawful activity and the property doesn’t need to be substantial— the government only needs to show that it has probable cause to believe the unlawful activity and the property have a connection. Unfortunately, the government usually gains the assets merely by doing little or nothing if the real owners don’t act fast by retaining an expert asset forfeiture lawyer and claiming their right to the property.

Both the federal and California governments use a wide range of laws to seize real and personal property from citizens then permanently possess them. The most prevalent misconception is the property seizure and forfeiture impact only people accused of criminal conduct. This isn’t true. Often, individuals who haven’t been placed under arrest, leave alone charged for criminal offenses, have been compelled to lose their assets to federal and state agents.

Asset forfeiture statutes often legalize the confiscation of property from individuals who are entirely innocent of any crime or wrongdoing. Since government agents will, without a doubt, use any possible trick against you to seize your property, you want to contact an experienced, aggressive, and devoted asset forfeiture lawyer immediately to help you.

As a premier forfeiture defense law firm in California and nationwide, we understand the tricks used in federal and state asset forfeiture. Applying our expert asset forfeiture knowledge and experience, we can quickly spot weak areas in the government’s case and use them to your advantage. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us as soon as your assets have been confiscated.

Federal forfeiture statutes alone comprise hundreds of provisions and several forfeiture categories related to specific offenses such as marijuana cultivation, money laundering, pornography, forgery, tax evasion, and drug-related crimes like drug trafficking. In California, just like the federal statute, the law allows the state government to seize your assets under laws like The California Control of Profits of Organized Crime (PC 186) and Health and Safety Code (HSC) 11470(e).

We concentrate on protecting your property while defending you on civil or criminal charges in federal and state courts. The asset forfeiture procedure generally commences with the seizure of property, whether entirely or partially. This could happen without or with a warrant, based on the situation.

We’ll work diligently to contest the government’s process of seizing the assets. We help by finding a way to distance the property from the alleged criminal activity, investigating constitutional violations, refuting testimony, or applying any other techniques necessary to win your case. Our skillful asset forfeiture lawyers take all the necessary steps to ensure your constitutional rights are protected against serious assaults on your property and harassment by prosecutors and law enforcement agents. If your property has been seized or threatened either criminally or civilly, call us for help right away.

At Asset Forfeiture Attorney, we stand with people facing asset forfeiture proceedings and civil forfeiture actions plus underlying criminal charges. Losing property without any compensation is intimidating for persons who aren’t familiar with the power of government agencies.

Since they aren’t knowledgeable of the nuances of police investigations, most property owners wrongly trust that they can talk their way out of a property seizure. Often, the owner sacrifices their assets by overlooking the need to seek legal advice.

An effective asset forfeiture defense strategy requires a skilled legal team that understands the complex and lengthy asset recovery and asset loss prevention process. Attention to detail and time is key for cases that involve property confiscation and asset forfeiture. Our law firm is recognized nationwide for expeditious and aggressive representation of clients’ interests.

Our asset forfeiture litigation representation has included cases involving criminal charges and those where civil confiscation actions were taken directly against assets, including real estate, motor vehicle, jewelry, cash, and investment and bank accounts.

Asset forfeiture is a complex legal process. Whereas the government may confiscate your assets at will, there has to be due process for the property to be permanently forfeited. There are several guidelines the government must follow to respect your rights.

If the government wants to gain permanent possession of your property, it must issue you with a formal notice of forfeiture proceedings. The notice could be issued through a publication in the local newspaper, mail, or personal delivery. After receiving this notice, you’ll have 30 days to bring a claim. The claim triggers a court procedure and a trial by the jury to make an ultimate decision concerning the asset forfeiture.

Unlike a few other states, the burden of proof in California is on the prosecutors and the police. They must prove why your assets ought to be forfeited. Generally, the prosecution must show that the following is true:

• The assets in question are associated with criminal activity. It could prove this in either of these ways:

• The assets were used to perpetrate criminal activity.

• The assets were derived from or were acquired as the proceeds of criminal activity.

• Everyone with ownership interests in that property understood that it was being utilized to commit an offense and agreed to the use.

The above guidelines give you a chance to argue before a judge or jury that your assets shouldn’t be forfeited. And, of course, you stand the best chance of retaining your property if an asset forfeiture attorney knowledgeable about asset forfeiture statutes and procedures represents you. When you retain our services, you’ll have a committed legal advocate fighting to protect your rights and help regain the property you rightfully own.