Protecting Your Assets: Understanding Property Seizure Defense with Rucci Law

Facing accusations of property seizure – often stemming from drug charges, fraud, or other criminal investigations – can be incredibly unsettling. At Rucci Law, we understand the immense financial and personal stress this situation creates. Government agencies, particularly the Department of United States Attorneys and local law enforcement, possess broad authority to seize assets they believe are linked to criminal activity. However, that authority is not absolute, and your constitutional rights are fiercely protected.

What is Asset Forfeiture?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process where the government takes control of property that is suspected of being involved in criminal activity. It’s important to recognize that it’s not a conviction. The government doesn’t need to prove you committed a crime to seize your property. Instead, they must demonstrate a sufficient connection – often through a “probable cause” standard – between the asset and the alleged criminal activity.

Types of Forfeiture

• Criminal Forfeiture: This arises during a criminal prosecution and requires a finding of guilt.
• Civil Forfeiture: This can occur even without a criminal conviction, relying on a preponderance of the evidence. This is where concerns about government overreach are most prevalent.

Your Rights During an Asset Forfeiture Case

At Rucci Law, we aggressively defend your rights, including:

• Challenging Probable Cause: We scrutinize the evidence the government presents to demonstrate that probable cause is lacking.
• Seeking Due Process Violations: We fight instances where your rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments are violated – including improper seizure procedures, inadequate notice, and flawed legal processes.
• Demonstrating Lack of Connection: We work to prove that your assets are not connected to the alleged criminal activity, perhaps through lack of knowledge, innocent ownership, or legitimate sources of funds.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Many asset forfeiture cases can be avoided or significantly minimized with proactive legal representation.

Why Choose Rucci Law?

We are a dedicated team of California criminal defense attorneys specializing in property seizure defense. We bring a strategic, results-oriented approach to every case, leveraging our deep understanding of federal and state forfeiture laws. We are committed to protecting your financial future and safeguarding your constitutional rights. Contact Rucci Law today for a confidential consultation.