Civil Forfeiture Lawyer

Civil Forfeiture Lawyer in NYC

If you need a civil forfeiture lawyer in NYC, the government has taken something of yours. Cash from a stop. A car after an arrest. Money from a bank account. And now you are being told you have to fight to get it back.

Here is what to know first. Civil forfeiture is a case against your property, not against you, and you can sometimes lose the property even without being convicted of anything. There are also deadlines, and they move fast.

This page explains how civil forfeiture works in New York, how it differs from a criminal case, and how our forfeiture defense attorneys fight to recover seized property.

What Is Civil Forfeiture in New York?

Civil forfeiture is a legal process in which the government seeks to seize money or property it claims is tied to a crime. Strangely, the case is filed against the property itself, not against a person.

That structure means the usual protections of a criminal case do not all apply. Our forfeiture defense attorneys know how to push back inside this unusual process.

Can the Government Keep My Property if I Was Never Convicted?

Sometimes, yes, and that shocks most people. Because forfeiture is a civil case against the property, the government does not always need a criminal conviction to try to keep it.

That does not mean the seizure is automatic or fair. Our forfeiture defense attorneys challenge the claim that your property is connected to any crime at all.

How Is Civil Forfeiture Different From My Criminal Case?

They are two separate tracks. The criminal case is about your freedom. The forfeiture case is about your money or property.

They can run at the same time, on the same facts, and a move in one can affect the other. Our forfeiture defense attorneys coordinate both so you do not win one and lose the other.

The Police Took My Cash or Car in NYC. Can I Get It Back?

Often you can fight for it, but you have to act. Recovering seized property usually means filing a claim and meeting strict deadlines.

Missing a deadline can mean losing the property by default, even if the seizure was weak. Our forfeiture defense attorneys move quickly to preserve your right to contest it.

What Are the Deadlines to Fight a Forfeiture in New York?

They are short and unforgiving. After a seizure, there is usually a limited window to file a claim or respond to a notice.

If you do nothing, the government can keep the property without ever proving its case. The single most important step is to get a forfeiture defense lawyer involved right away.

Why Do Police Seize Cash and Cars in the First Place?

Often they claim the property is proceeds of a crime or was used to commit one. A large amount of cash, a car stopped in a drug case, or funds in an account can all be targeted.

A claim is not proof. Lawful cash and ordinary vehicles get swept up all the time. Our forfeiture defense attorneys make the government back up its theory.

What Is the Innocent Owner Defense in a Forfeiture Case?

It is the argument that you owned the property and did not know about or consent to any illegal use of it. This comes up often when a car or account belongs to a family member.

The details and proof matter here. Our forfeiture defense attorneys build the innocent owner argument by concept around the facts of how you came to own and use the property.

What Should I Do First After Property Is Seized in NYC?

Save every document and call a lawyer. Keep the seizure paperwork, any receipts, and proof of where the money or property came from.

Do not ignore a notice, and do not assume the property is gone for good. Our forfeiture defense attorneys can step in before a deadline costs you the case.

Should I Explain Where the Money Came From to the Police?

Not without a lawyer, especially if there is a related criminal case. What you say about the money can affect both the forfeiture and any charges.

There is a right way and a time to present the lawful source of your funds. Our forfeiture defense attorneys handle that, so a good explanation does not become a problem.

What Kinds of Property Can Be Recovered Through a Forfeiture Fight?

A wide range, when the claim is challenged in time.

• Cash: Money seized during a stop, an arrest, or from an account.
• Vehicles: Cars taken in connection with a case.
• Bank funds: Money frozen or pulled from accounts.
• Other property: Items the government claims are tied to a crime.

Our forfeiture defense attorneys fight to return property the government cannot fairly connect to wrongdoing.

Can a Forfeiture Be Defeated or Settled in New York?

Sometimes. We cannot promise a result, and you should be careful with anyone who does. What is possible turns on the source of the property and the facts our forfeiture defense attorneys can develop.

Acting before the deadline and forcing the government to prove the connection is often the best path to recovery.

How Much Does a Civil Forfeiture Lawyer in NYC Cost?

It depends on the property and how hard the case is fought. This work is usually handled as a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a mix of both. Our forfeiture defense attorneys will be clear about the cost up front.

Why Do I Need a Civil Forfeiture Lawyer in NYC?

Because forfeiture moves on tight deadlines, lacks some of the protections of a criminal case, and can take your property without a conviction. You want a civil forfeiture lawyer who can act fast and force the government to prove its claim.

This page is part of our NY criminal defense practice. For a broader overview, start there.

Talk to a NYC Civil Forfeiture Lawyer Today

The clock on your seized property is already running. Before a deadline decides it for you, talk to us. Call Konta, Georges & Buza P.C. to get our forfeiture defense team started.