The procedure in which forfeiture will be dealt with, and if the proceedings are “criminal” or “civil” in nature, will vary significantly from state to state. It is often advisable to seek help from an experienced Liberty County, Georgia forfeiture law firm, if you are facing any kind of forfeiture action. Criminal forfeiture happens when, after the owner is convicted of an offense, and when forfeiture is possible under the laws of your state, it is demonstrated that your property has a sufficient relationship to the criminal activity to justify depriving the owner of the property rights. For example, the jurisdiction can have a rule which provides the court the right to forfeit your car, when you are convicted of drunk driving. The prosecutor’s office might ask for forfeiture of the property including your business or home when you are convicted of particular crimes, like drug trafficking or racketeering. Civil forfeiture is very much like criminal forfeiture in numerous ways. However, whereas criminal forfeiture imposes an additional penalty on the owner of property for his wrongful conduct, a civil forfeiture action is initiated against the property itself. For criminal forfeiture to start, the property’s owner has be convicted of a crime, but civil forfeiture can occur even if the owner is acquitted.
————————-Savannah GA DUI Lawyer – Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney
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