Protecting Your Assets: Understanding Asset Forfeiture in California

At Rucci Law, we understand the immense stress and potential financial devastation associated with asset forfeiture. A government’s attempt to seize your property – whether it’s a vehicle, bank account, business, or real estate – can feel like a direct attack. This isn’t just a legal technicality; it’s a profound challenge to your livelihood and your freedom. We specialize in aggressively defending California clients facing asset forfeiture claims, and we’re committed to protecting your rights every step of the way.

What is Asset Forfeiture?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process where the government seeks to take property believed to be connected to criminal activity. It’s often triggered under statutes like the Civil Asset Forfeiture Act (CAFA), which allows federal agencies to target assets suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, or other crimes. However, even seemingly minor allegations can lead to a seizure, and the process can be incredibly complex and, frankly, riddled with potential for error.

Your Rights During an Asset Forfeiture Case

You have critical rights that must be protected. Rucci Law meticulously investigates every aspect of your case, including:

• Due Process: The government must demonstrate a clear link between your property and criminal activity through probable cause, not just suspicion. We challenge the government’s evidence rigorously.
• Right to Counsel: You have the right to hire an experienced attorney – and we strongly advise you to do so. Navigating forfeiture laws is incredibly complicated.
• Right to Notice and Hearing: You are entitled to timely and accurate notification of the forfeiture action and the opportunity to challenge it in a court hearing.
• Protection Against Seizure Without a Warrant (Generally): In most cases, the government needs to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before seizing your assets.

Common Concerns and How Rucci Law Addresses Them

Many clients worry that the government will seize their property before they have a chance to defend themselves. We proactively safeguard your assets through:

• Bond Hearings: We can often secure a bond to release seized property while the case is pending.
• Motion Practice: We file motions to suppress evidence, challenge the government’s legal arguments, and seek the return of wrongfully seized property.
• Thorough Investigation: We investigate the government’s evidence to identify weaknesses and build a strong defense.

At Rucci Law, we don’t just defend your assets; we defend your constitutional rights. Don’t face this challenge alone. Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let our experienced legal team protect your future.

Additional Reading:
How Policing for Profit Threatens Your Rights (TEDx) | Great News: New Mexico’s Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill Signed by Governor | Ending Government’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Theft of Property One State at a Time | Theft of Public Funds or Accounting Incompetence? Kansas Police Agencies Can’t Accurately Track Property Forfeitures | Top Strategies for Business Legal Compliance | Report: Civil Forfeiture Policy Unjustly Deprives People of Property | The FBI Is Trying to Keep More Cash Seized from a Beverly Hills Vault | Police seize property without charges and pocket the proceeds. There’s a bipartisan move to crack down. | The Bronx Defenders – Civil Forfeiture | Governor Hogan, Civil Asset Forfeiture Is Inherently Abusive | Due Process in Civil Forfeiture: Are Property Owners’ Rights Protected? | Judge finds no rights violations in FBI seizure of Beverly Hills safe-deposit boxes | What is Civil Asset Forfeiture? | Oregon Seizes $121,000 of Deceased Veteran’s Benefits | Forfeiture Litigation & Appeals: Challenging Seizures in Court | New Hampshire Considers Major Forfeiture Reform | Do Innocent Citizens Risk Police Seizure of Their Property? | End Civil Asset Forfeiture (Cato Institute) | End Civil Forfeiture of assets Without A Court Order | Civil Asset Forfeiture Explained In Two Minutes | FBI Used Misleading Affidavit to Seize Beverly Hills Boxes | Law enforcement took more stuff from people than burglars did last year | Warrant of arrest issued against seized funds from Bank of Saipan | Attorney General Sessions Announces Policy to Increase Civil Forfeiture