Austin Asset Forfeiture Lawyer

You normally don't have to worry about losing your property or dealing with the court system unless you have been arrested for a crime. However, even if you haven't been arrested, it's possible for law enforcement to seize your property if it is either near or on the actual location where perceived criminal activity has taken place. This means you can lose your property without ever having been involved in a crime. When this happens, it's important to have the experienced Austin asset forfeiture lawyers of Hines & Holub on your side. We will take every measure to get your property returned to you.

Understanding Forfeiture

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claims that the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws has led to forfeiture becoming more about profit than fighting crime. Whether this is true or not, many people have had their property seized and never returned. Some don't even realize that they can have it returned if they act quickly.

In most cases, the assets that are taken are not really profiting the police. Rather, they are used to develop more resources to fight crime. For example, if your vehicle is taken into custody, it will not then be driven around and used by police officers. Instead, it will be sold at an auction, and the funds gained will be used to purchase resources to fight criminals, who often have extensive resources of their own.

Is Forced Asset Forfeiture Legal?

Forced asset forfeiture is legal, but there are still limits and guidelines that must be followed. You personally don't have to commit a crime-or even be aware that you were involved in a crime-to be forced to forfeit your assets. For example, if you were at a store and the store owner was laundering money, it may be legal for law enforcement to seize your car if it was parked on the store owner's property. Innocence is no guarantee that your belongings and assets won't be seized. However, many people don't realize that they may be able to get them back.

Getting Your Assets Returned

If you were involved in a crime and you scored financially from that crime, it could be more difficult to get your assets returned to you once you have been convicted. Typically, assets are considered part of the crime itself, even if they are just the result. However, if you are found innocent, you may have your items returned once you go through the process of requesting them, which is a much more complex process than it might sound.

Why You Need a Qualified Lawyer

An experienced Austin asset forfeiture lawyer can make sure you don't lose anything that you shouldn't. It's possible to lose your assets forever if you don't follow the necessary procedures required to get them back. Make sure you have a qualified legal team on your side to help you through the process.