Sound Advice When Facing Asset Forfeiture
If the state or federal government has seized your property on the grounds that it represents the proceeds of such illegal activity as drug dealing or money laundering, the advice of a knowledgeable attorney can protect your interests and give you a chance at recovering the forfeited assets. Contact the criminal defense attorneys at The Hanchey Law Firm in Lake Charles for advice about asset forfeiture problems in Louisiana or Texas.
Call 337-513-4280 TollFree 888-866-6415 for a free consultation about asset forfeiture
There are many important differences between a criminal prosecution and a civil forfeiture case. But the biggest practical difference has to do with the government's burden of proof. There's no presumption of innocence that protects property from seizure, and the prosecution only needs to prove that it's more likely than not that a particular asset represents the proceeds of crime or was used in the commission of a crime.
As long as the government can show a relationship between the forfeited property and a particular criminal offense, the seizure goes forward subject to the owner's ability to disprove the relationship or negotiate a better deal.
Criminal defense lawyer David Green is a former prosecutor and narcotics detective who focused on drug crimes, money laundering and asset forfeiture during his law enforcement career. Today, he uses this experience to the advantage of people charged with crimes and even innocent owners whose assets were seized and then traced to criminal activity.
Examples of the kinds of property subject to forfeiture include:
- Cash
- Cars, trucks or boats
- Real estate
- Jewelry
- Investment securities
Our lawyers can advise people about the best ways to resolve both criminal prosecutions and civil forfeiture proceedings. A coordinated approach to both can improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
For additional information about the best ways to handle an asset forfeiture problem, contact the criminal defense attorneys at The Hanchey Law Firm in Lake Charles.
