Sound Advice When Facing Asset Forfeiture
The state or federal government can seize your property if they believe the property was involved with, or obtained by proceeds of illegal activity such as drug dealing or money laundering. If the government has seized your personal property, the advice of a knowledgeable attorney can protect your interests and give you a chance at asset recovery.
The Hanchey Law Firm in Lake Charles represents people throughout southwest Louisiana and east Texas who are facing asset forfeiture. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a lawyer.
Call 337-513-4280 Toll Free 888-866-6415 for a free consultation about asset forfeiture
There are many important differences between a criminal prosecution and a civil forfeiture case. However, 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. 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 property 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 the following:
- Cash
- Cars, trucks or boats
- Real estate
- Jewelry
- Investment securities
Our law firm 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 recovering your seized property.
For additional information about the best ways to handle an asset forfeiture problem, contact
