Understanding Asset Forfeiture – A Critical Threat

At Rucci Law, we understand that the government’s ability to seize your assets – be it bank accounts, property, vehicles, or even cryptocurrency – can be a terrifying prospect. Asset forfeiture is a legal process where the government seeks to take property believed to be involved in criminal activity, even if you haven’t been formally charged with a crime. This process is often shrouded in complexity, and the government’s power can feel overwhelming. We’re here to ensure your rights are protected.

Unlike typical criminal prosecutions, asset forfeiture cases operate with a different standard of proof. The government typically needs to demonstrate that the property was connected to criminal activity – often just by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it’s *more likely than not* that the funds or property were involved. This lower burden of proof makes successful asset seizure far more common than you might think.

Your Rights During an Asset Forfeiture Case

You have constitutional rights, and we will aggressively defend them. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure:** The government cannot seize your property without a warrant based on probable cause. We scrutinize the government’s actions for any violations of this fundamental right.
• The Fifth Amendment: Due Process:** You have the right to a fair hearing and to challenge the government’s evidence.
• The Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel:** You have the right to legal representation. Fighting asset forfeiture is a highly specialized area of law, and a dedicated attorney is crucial to your defense.
• Exclusion of Evidence:** Illegally obtained evidence, such as evidence seized without a warrant or obtained through an unlawful search, can be suppressed.