Boston Forfeiture
Attorney
Navigating Federal Civil Forfeiture in Boston
If federal authorities appear at your doorstep, seizing your assets, or if your bank accounts are suddenly frozen or emptied by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), you need immediate help. Similarly, if a U.S. Marshal serves you with a notice of potential property forfeiture, you may feel uncertain about what to do next. How do you reclaim your possessions?
Federal civil forfeiture allows the government to confiscate and hold property linked to alleged illegal conduct, exerting substantial power under various federal statutes such as 18 U.S.C. §§ 981, 984, and 21 U.S.C. § 881. This can involve anything from homes, money, vehicles, and electronics if the government argues that the property was used in a crime or purchased with proceeds traceable to a crime. Often, the property is seized even when the owner is innocent of any criminal activity, typically linking it to illegal drug activities or money laundering.
Why You Need a Civil Forfeiture Lawyer
The complex procedures of federal civil forfeiture cases can be difficult to comprehend and navigate without an experienced forfeiture attorney.
Questions you may have can include:
- How and when should you assert your claim to the property in a way that the federal court will acknowledge?
- How can you justify your property ownership without implicating yourself in illegal activity?
- How can you deal with the civil forfeiture case without negatively impacting any related criminal case?
At the Coughlin Law Group, our civil forfeiture attorneys possess the expertise to guide you through the process of contesting the government’s seizure, fighting to reclaim your property. We can assist you with:
- Preparing and filing an administrative claim,
- Filing a verified claim to establish standing to challenge a federal civil forfeiture suit,
- Preparing suitable defenses, like the innocent-owner defense under 18 U.S.C. § 983,
- Responding to the government’s civil forfeiture complaint,
- Investigating and defending against the government’s probe in civil discovery,
- Litigating substantive motions like motions for summary judgment and motions asserting your Fourth Amendment rights,
- Fighting the case at trial, and
- Negotiating a favorable settlement, if appropriate.
Our team’s combined expertise in criminal law and civil litigation enables us to counsel and defend our clients effectively and halt the government’s attempts to seize the fruits of their hard work.
Boston Forfeiture Attorneys
If you’re facing a civil forfeiture case, don’t wait. Call the forfeiture attorneys at the Coughlin Law Group at 617-758-8888 for a free consultation. Let us help you understand the forfeiture definition in real-world terms and guide you towards a favorable resolution.
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