Los angeles Asset Forfeiture lawyers
Contents
- 1 Asset Forfeiture Lawyers in Los Angeles: Protecting Your Property Rights
- 2 What is Asset Forfeiture in California?
- 3 How Does the Asset Forfeiture Process Work in California?
- 4 What Property Can Be Seized Through Asset Forfeiture in California?
- 5 Common Myths About Asset Forfeiture in California
- 6 Why Hire Spodek Law Group for Asset Forfeiture Cases?
Asset Forfeiture Lawyers in Los Angeles: Protecting Your Property Rights
You worked hard for your assets – your home, your car, your savings. So having them seized by the government can feel like a punch in the gut. Asset forfeiture laws allow authorities to take property they claim is connected to criminal activity. But what if you’re innocent? What if the charges are flimsy or there’s been a misunderstanding?
You need a tenacious legal team to fight for your rights and prevent injustice. At Spodek Law Group, our Los Angeles asset forfeiture attorneys have decades of experience taking on government overreach. We understand the nuances of forfeiture proceedings and know how to build a powerful defense strategy.
Don’t let the system bully you into surrendering what’s rightfully yours. With our attorneys by your side, we’ll fearlessly protect your interests and assets. Call us at 212-300-5196 for a free consultation.
What is Asset Forfeiture in California?
Asset forfeiture refers to the government’s ability to permanently confiscate property they believe was used in a crime or purchased with illicit funds. It’s a controversial practice that’s ripe for abuse, as innocent people can lose everything based on mere suspicion.
Under California law, authorities can seize:
- Cash
- Vehicles
- Real estate
- Businesses
- Jewelry and other valuables
All they need is probable cause to think the assets are connected to criminal activity like drug trafficking, money laundering, or fraud. The burden of proof is on you to get your property back.
It’s a draconian system that flips due process on its head. Even if charges are never filed or you’re found not guilty, the government can still initiate forfeiture proceedings in civil court. You could end up losing your life savings over something as minor as a small drug possession charge.
How Does the Asset Forfeiture Process Work in California?
The nightmare begins when law enforcement raids your home or business and seizes anything they deem “suspicious.” Or you could have your bank accounts frozen with no warning.
Once your property is taken, the government has 60 days to officially initiate forfeiture proceedings by:
- Providing notice of the seizure
- Specifying the criminal conduct justifying forfeiture
- Allowing you to file a claim contesting the action
If you don’t file a claim, the government automatically keeps your property. But if you do contest it, the case goes to civil court where the burden is on prosecutors to establish by preponderance of evidence that the assets are linked to a crime.
It’s a rigged system designed to overwhelm you into compliance. Prosecutors have massive resources while you’re left defenseless, potentially bankrupted by legal fees before the case even starts.
That’s why you need elite asset forfeiture defense attorneys like ours to level the playing field. We know all the tricks prosecutors use and won’t let them bully or intimidate you. We fight for a dismissal of charges so you can reclaim your property and move on with your life.
What Property Can Be Seized Through Asset Forfeiture in California?
Virtually any property or asset you own could potentially be targeted for forfeiture, including:
- Cash
- Bank accounts
- Vehicles (cars, boats, planes)
- Real estate (homes, land, buildings)
- Businesses and investments
- Jewelry, art, collectibles
- Electronics (computers, phones)
- Weapons
The scope is terrifyingly broad. Even relatively minor assets like furniture or clothing could be seized if authorities claim they were purchased with illicit funds.
Type of Property and Examples
Type of Property | Examples |
---|---|
Cash/Bank Accounts | Savings, checking, money market, CDs |
Vehicles | Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, aircraft |
Real Estate | Homes, land, rental properties, commercial buildings |
Businesses | Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, investments |
Personal Property | Jewelry, art, antiques, electronics, collectibles |
Authorities will take everything not nailed down if given the chance. They know most people lack the resources to fight back, counting on you to give up rather than endure a lengthy legal battle.
But we never give up on our clients. Our Los Angeles asset forfeiture lawyers have unparalleled tenacity. We’ll exhaust every legal avenue to reclaim your rightful property. Click here to contact us and start fighting back.
Common Myths About Asset Forfeiture in California
There are many misconceptions about asset forfeiture that disarm people from properly defending themselves. Let’s bust some of those myths:
Myth #1: I Have to Be Convicted First
Nope, untrue. Under California law, your property can be seized based on mere probable cause of a crime, before you’re ever charged or convicted. It’s a terrifying reality.
Myth #2: They Can Only Take Property Used in a Crime
Wrong again. Authorities can seize anything they believe was purchased with money from alleged illegal activities, even if the property itself is completely legal.
Myth #3: It’s Just a Civil Procedure, Not Criminal
Don’t be fooled – civil forfeiture proceedings can devastate your life, strip you of your assets, and destroy your business or reputation. It’s just as serious as criminal charges.
Myth #4: The Process Favors The Property Owner
Bahaha – the opposite is true! The entire system is stacked against you from lack of resources to draconian laws depriving you of due process. You’re outmatched without a relentless legal advocate.
Myth #5: I Can Just Get My Property Back Later
Good luck with that. Once the government seizes your assets, getting them back is like pulling teeth. The onus is on you to prove your innocence in court – an often impossible feat without elite counsel.
Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Hire the best asset forfeiture lawyers from the start so you can fight back and keep what’s yours. Click here to get started with Spodek Law Group.
Why Hire Spodek Law Group for Asset Forfeiture Cases?
When your life savings and property are on the line, you can’t afford to hire just any law firm. You need heavy hitters with specialized expertise taking on the government’s unlimited resources.
At Spodek Law Group, our Los Angeles asset forfeiture attorneys have:
- ✨ Decades of combined experience in state and federal asset forfeiture cases
- ✨ Comprehensive understanding of forfeiture laws and procedures
- ✨ Proven courtroom prowess taking on government overreach
- ✨ Uncompromising commitment to protecting your rights and assets
- ✨ Reputation as one of the nation’s premier asset forfeiture defense firms
We never back down from a fight. Our attorneys are relentless in dismantling the government’s case, poking holes in their evidence, and exposing injustice.
No dirty trick or intimidation tactic will deter us. We’ve seen it all and know how to counter every move. When you hire us, you level the playing field against an overreaching system.
More importantly, we treat every client like family. Your financial security and future is our personal mission. We empathize with the fear and uncertainty you’re facing.