O'Hare International Airport Money Cash Seizure Lawyers

Having your cash seized at O'Hare International Airport can be a scary and frustrating experience. As one of the busiest airports in the world, O'Hare sees thousands of travelers pass through its terminals every single day. Many of those travelers carry cash for their trips, whether it's to use on vacation or for business purposes. Unfortunately, carrying large amounts of cash also increases your chances of having it seized by federal agents. If you've had cash taken from you at O'Hare, you probably have a lot of questions. Why was my money taken? What are my rights? How do I get it back? This article provides an overview of cash seizures at O'Hare Airport, your legal protections, and how an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the process of recovering your seized assets.

Overview of Cash Seizures at O'Hare

Several different federal agencies conduct cash seizures at airports, including:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

These agencies seize cash and other monetary instruments when they have suspicion that the money is tied to illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or terrorism financing. However, you don't need to be charged with a crime for your cash to be taken. Under federal civil asset forfeiture laws, the government can seize and keep your property merely by showing probable cause of its connection to criminal activity. You are not presumed innocent, and the burden is on you to prove your innocence and recover your assets. According to Department of Homeland Security data, O'Hare Airport ranked #6 nationwide for cash seizures by CBP officers in FY 2020, with over $10 million seized. And those are just the reported numbers - the real totals are likely much higher.

Notifying Travelers and Seeking Forfeiture

If federal agents seize your cash at O'Hare, they must give you a receipt and a "Notice of Seizure." This document lists the statutory basis for forfeiture and informs you of your right to contest it. You have a few options:

1. File a claim stating your interest in the property within 30 days of receiving notice.
2. Petition CBP for expedited release of the property while contesting forfeiture.
3. Let the deadline pass, forfeiting your right to contest.

If you timely file a claim, CBP has 90 days to review and make a decision. They may offer settlement, seek forfeiture in U.S. District Court, or return the seized property.

Protections for International Travelers

For travelers on international flights, there are some additional protections if CBP seizes your cash:

• You cannot be charged with a reporting violation if you truthfully report your currency to CBP when asked.
• CBP must return your seized cash within 30 days unless they have evidence it's tied to illegal activity.

However, CBP officers don't always follow proper procedures. They may falsely allege you failed to report, coerce a "voluntary" abandonment, or improperly refer for criminal investigation without evidence.

Getting Help from an O'Hare Cash Seizure Lawyer

Recovering seized cash is difficult without experienced legal help. A lawyer can protect your rights in several key ways:

• Review the seizure notice and determine if CBP followed proper procedures.
• Gather evidence and documentation showing the lawful source of your cash.
• Negotiate with CBP for return of all or part of the seized amount.
• File a claim and petition for expedited release of the cash.
• Represent you in federal court if CBP seeks forfeiture.

It's important to act quickly when contesting a cash seizure, as you could permanently lose your right to the money if you miss the filing deadline. An attorney knows the complex civil forfeiture process and applicable laws inside and out.

O'Hare Airport Cash Seizure Defense Lawyers

If you need legal help recovering cash seized from you at O'Hare International Airport, contact the following law firms for a free case review:

• Edward Johnson Law - Chicago firm focusing on DEA, FBI, and CBP forfeitures at O'Hare. Call 708-606-4386.
• Brian Silber Law - Federal civil forfeiture defense attorneys with 17+ years experience. Call 866-933-2592.
• Great Lakes Customs Law - Chicago customs lawyer helping fight CBP cash seizures. Call 773-920-1840.

Don't let federal agents take your hard-earned cash without a fight. The experienced asset forfeiture defense attorneys at these firms know how to beat seizure cases and get your money back. They will aggressively protect your rights and hold CBP accountable for following the law.