Asset Forfeitures Lawyers

Each Miami criminal lawyer at DMT can defend yours both in criminal and civil court.  State and federal lawmakers have enacted statutes which allow government agencies to confiscate your personal property, such as motor vehicles, boats, bank deposits, stocks, bonds and homes. If the state or federal government can prove that certain assets were obtained with proceeds from criminal activities or were used during the commission of a criminal act, they will seek to keep your property. The criminal law firm of  DMT has represented dozens of clients in asset forfeiture cases. If the state or federal government is seeking to take your personal property, contact the civil asset forfeiture attorneys at DMT to help your recover your property.

Differences Between a Criminal Case and an Asset Forfeiture Case

In a criminal case, the state or federal government will try to punish individuals charged with criminal acts. The government’s burden of proof in a criminal case is beyond a reasonable doubt. A prosecutor will attempt to prove the criminal charges against an individual or individuals in criminal court. If an individual accepts a plea or is found guilty by a jury after trial, punishments include probation, community control, jail or prison time.

In an asset forfeiture case, the state or federal government will try to seize and individual’s personal or real property. The government’s burden of proof in an asset forfeiture case is by the preponderance of the evidence, a much lesser standard than beyond a reasonable doubt. A city or county attorney will attempt to prove that your property was purchased with the proceeds of a crime or that your property was used in the commission of a crime. If the government proves the case against an individual, he or she will lose her property.

Examples of Asset Forfeitures

• Money or U.S. currency obtained in drug trafficking cases (i.e., cocaine trafficking or marijuana trafficking)
• Money or U.S. currency obtained in fraud cases (i.e., mortgage fraud or medicare fraud)
• Money or U.S. currency seized in an money laundering case
• Automobiles, boats, homes and jewelry purchased with money obtained in drug trafficking or fraud cases
• Automobiles, boats, homes or businesses used to commit the crimes of drug trafficking or fraud

If a law enforcement agency impounds your property at the time of arrest, and your receive a notice that the state of federal government is seeking to seize your personal property, it is imperative that you contact a Miami criminal lawyer at DMT to protect your rights and your assets.

To speak with a skilled civil forfeiture lawyer at DMT, or if you have questions regarding your asset forfeiture case, please contact DMT to schedule your free consultation. You can call our office at (305) 643-0400 or reach us by completing the form on our contact page or by sending an e-mail. We are available every day of the year, 24 hours a day.