The manner in which forfeiture will be dealt with, and whether the proceedings are “criminal” or “civil” in nature, will vary significantly from state to state. It is generally advisable to take assistance from an experienced Chatham County, Georgia forfeiture law firm, if you are facing any type of forfeiture proceding. Criminal forfeiture takes place if, after the owner is convicted of a crime, and when forfeiture is permitted under the laws of the jurisdiction, it is shown that your property has a sufficient connection to the offense to justify depriving you of the property rights. For example, your state may have a rule which provides the judge the right to forfeit your car, when you are convicted of DUI. The prosecutor’s office might seek forfeiture of your property including your business or home if you are convicted of certain offenses, such as drug trafficking or racketeering. Civil forfeiture is very much like criminal forfeiture in numerous ways. But, while criminal forfeiture means to impose an extra penalty on the property’s owner for the wrongful conduct, a civil forfeiture action is brought against the property itself. For criminal forfeiture to result, the owner of the property has be convicted of a crime, but civil forfeiture might take place although the owner is acquitted.
————————-Savannah GA DUI Lawyer – Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney
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