Civil Asset Forfeiture, West Hollywood – Attorneys Cavalluzzi & Cavalluzzi

The rise of civil asset forfeiture cases represents a disturbing new trend in American justice. Civil seizure permits the government to confiscate property suspected of being used in a crime; however, this power is not always employed according to normal standards of justice. The civil asset forfeiture attorneys of Cavalluzzi & Cavalluzzi in West Hollywood are skilled in representing clients whose property has been wrongfully seized by the government.

• Civil asset forfeiture – An Overview
• Fighting Civil Asset Forfeiture

Civil Asset Forfeiture – An Overview

Civil asset forfeiture occurs when the government has seized your personal property and permanent legal title has been transferred to the state. Civil seizure permits the government to confiscate personal property that has allegedly been used in the commission of a crime, regardless of the owner's actual guilt or innocence.

The expected elements of due process of law — including the right to an attorney, the right to a trial, protection against double jeopardy, and even the basic belief that you are innocent until proven guilty — do not apply in civil seizure cases. These rights only apply to criminal offenses. The Supreme Court has ruled that the basic protections provided by the law do not extend to civil offenses and the confiscation of property.

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Fighting Civil Asset Forfeiture

You don't have to be guilty of a crime to be victimized by civil seizure. In civil asset forfeiture cases, guilt rests on the property, not necessarily the owner. This fact means that if you loan your car to a friend, and that friend — without your knowledge — uses the vehicle during the commission of a robbery, a drug deal, or some other illegal activity, your car can be seized by the government without compensation.

The burden of proof in civil asset forfeiture cases still falls on the government, though. It must be clearly demonstrated that the confiscated property was used in the commission of a crime. Still, fighting such cases can be an arduous process. You must document earnings used to purchase the property as well as demonstrate that neither you nor any member of your family had any knowledge or involvement in any illegal activity involving the property. Thus, reclaiming property involved in civil asset forfeiture requires the skill and resources of the West Hollywood firm of Cavalluzzi & Cavalluzzi.

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Contact Our Civil Asset Forfeiture Lawyers

When your property has been seized by the government, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable attorney to help you recover your loss. For experienced representation in civil asset forfeiture cases, contact West Hollywood attorneys Cavalluzzi & Cavalluzzi.

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Free Immediate Case Review

If you are seeking legal representation, contact Cavalluzzi & Cavalluzzi, expert attorneys near Beverly Hills, California. We will review your case and answer your questions in order to proceed with the best plan of action.