At Rucci Law, we understand the immense stress and anxiety that civil forfeiture proceedings can cause. Suddenly facing the potential loss of your property – your home, your car, your savings – is a terrifying experience. In California, civil forfeiture, while a legal tool for law enforcement, can be a particularly aggressive and often overly broad process. We’re dedicated to protecting your constitutional rights and providing a strong, strategic defense when you’ve been targeted by a civil forfeiture action.

What is Civil Forfeiture?

Civil forfeiture is a legal process where the government can seize property suspected of being involved in criminal activity, even if the property owner hasn’t been charged with or convicted of a crime. Unlike criminal forfeiture, which occurs after a criminal case, civil forfeiture initiates a lawsuit against your property itself. This can happen based on allegations, not proof of wrongdoing. The government’s burden of proof is significantly lower in civil forfeiture cases, making it a challenging process to defend.

Key Constitutional Concerns

Civil forfeiture raises serious constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches and seizures) and the Fourteenth Amendment (due process). Here are key issues we address:

• Lack of Probable Cause: Government claims often lack sufficient probable cause, relying on circumstantial evidence or alleged connections to criminal activity.
• Deprivation of Property Rights: The seizure itself, without a criminal conviction, represents an infringement on your property rights.
• Due Process Violations: Lack of transparency and procedural safeguards in some forfeiture cases can violate your right to due process.

Why Choose Rucci Law?

At Rucci Law, we bring a highly specialized and aggressive approach to civil forfeiture defense. We have a proven track record of successfully challenging forfeiture claims in California courts. We will:

• Thoroughly Investigate the Claim: We meticulously examine the government’s evidence and identify weaknesses.
• Challenge the Government’s Evidence: We aggressively cross-examine witnesses and raise legal challenges to the admissibility of evidence.
• Advocate for Your Rights: We fight tirelessly to protect your property rights and ensure fair treatment under the law.

Don’t face this battle alone. If you’ve been notified of a civil forfeiture action, contact Rucci Law today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and develop a strategy to protect your assets.

Rucci Law – Fighting for Your Rights, Protecting Your Property

[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [Website Link]