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WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

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Los Angeles Forfeiture and Seizure Lawyers Lawyers

By Spodek Law Group | June 8, 2021
(Last Updated On: March 19, 2023)

The Risk of Seizure

Your hard-earned assets and property could be taken away by the federal government under suspicion of a connection to criminal activity. This civil process, that often involves criminal cases, could leave you fighting to reclaim what’s rightfully yours. The best way to protect yourself is by hiring a knowledgeable seizure lawyer to prove your innocence.

Seizure Before a Criminal Investigation

Imagine the heartbreak of losing your property before a criminal investigation has even concluded, and without any charges being filed against you. Tragically, your property may be used as evidence in these cases. And, during a criminal trial, your assets can also be seized as part of the proceedings.

The Burden of Proof

In these civil proceedings, the government holds the upper hand as they need to provide less proof compared to criminal cases. Sadly, in some instances, the responsibility of providing proof falls on you. You’ll need to prove that you legally own the property and that it wasn’t stolen. If you can’t provide adequate evidence, you risk losing your property, even if you’re innocent.

Innocent but Punished

It’s not just heartbreaking, it’s unjust. If you’re acquitted of all criminal wrongdoing, the court can still keep your assets, punishing you for a crime you never committed. This controversial practice allows law enforcement to confiscate your property without a trial verdict, opening the door for abuse.

Government Profit from Seizures

The government can profit from your seized assets, providing a financial incentive for law enforcement to seize them, even if you’re innocent. The process of retrieving your property is long, complicated, and time-consuming. Sadly, the practice of forfeiture and seizure has been expanded in recent years, instead of banned.

Seizures in Organized Crime Investigations

Seizures are a common occurrence during federal investigations into organized crime and money laundering. If the government suspects that your income is from drug trafficking or racketeering, they can seize it, even if it’s documented and taxable.

Criminal Seizures

Laws also exist that allow law enforcement to seize assets on a criminal level, particularly in white collar crimes like racketeering. However, they can only make these seizures after you’ve been convicted. Criminal seizures have a higher burden of proof and are less commonly used, but you can expect them if you’re found guilty.

Money Laundering Accusations

Money laundering accusations can arise if the government believes that illegal income is being disguised as legal income through different businesses. If the IRS suspects money laundering, they may order an audit of your businesses and taxes.

Financial Transactions Reportable to the Government

Banks and credit unions must report certain financial transactions to the government, including cash transactions exceeding $10,000 and transporting more than $10,000 outside of the US borders. This helps prevent tax evasion and the hiding of illegal income.

Imagine the shock of waking up one day to find that the federal government has seized your property or financial assets, claiming that it has ties to criminal activity, even if you have not been charged with a crime. This article sheds light on the controversial practice of property seizure by federal officials, and the best way to retrieve your assets if it occurs.

The Power of Federal Officials: Federal officials have the authority to seize any income they suspect to be unlawful, even before they have proven it. They can initiate civil seizure proceedings without filing any charges, and seize any property they believe to be stolen or involved in criminal activities, without any third-party knowledge.

Different Types of Property: Physical property such as houses and land generally require a warrant for seizure, but currency and personal property do not. This means that federal officials can seize your assets without a judge’s approval.

Notification and Challenging the Seizure: If your property is seized, you will receive notification within 60 days, and you will have the opportunity to challenge the seizure by filing a claim. The government can either initiate a civil forfeiture process or choose to release the property.

The Importance of a Seizure Lawyer: The best way to retrieve your seized assets is by hiring a skilled seizure lawyer who can prove their innocence. The burden of proof falls on the owner’s shoulders, and if you cannot provide sufficient evidence, you may lose your assets, even if you are the rightful owner.

The Controversy of Seizure: The government’s seizure of property is a highly controversial practice, as it allows law enforcement to take away assets without a trial verdict. This means that you can be punished for a crime you did not commit, even if you are acquitted, and the government can profit from your seized assets, creating an incentive for law enforcement to seize your property, even if you are innocent.

Common Situations: The seizure of property is most common during federal investigations of organized crime and money laundering. The government can seize your income if they suspect it to be from drug trafficking or racketeering, even if it is documented and taxable. Money laundering is a serious accusation, and if the IRS suspects someone of being involved in money laundering, they may order an audit of their businesses and taxes. Banks and credit unions are required to report financial transactions over 10,000 dollars to prevent tax evasion and illegal income hiding.

Conclusion: Federal officials have the power to seize assets they suspect to be unlawful, even before they have proven it. The best way to retrieve your seized assets is by hiring a skilled seizure lawyer who can prove their innocence. Don’t become a victim of the government’s seizure of property. Fight for your rights and protect your assets.

The Consequences of Seizure and Forfeiture

Have you ever considered the possibility of the government seizing your assets, even before a criminal investigation is complete or charges are filed against you? Unfortunately, this is a reality that many individuals face in today’s society. In this article, we will explore the controversial practice of seizure and forfeiture and how it affects individuals who fall victim to it.

The Controversial Nature of Seizure and Forfeiture

The government can take your property and use it as evidence, or seize it during the criminal trial process, all with ease and with the burden of proof on the individual, not the government. This can result in the government keeping your assets even if you are innocent of any crime.

The practice is open to abuse by law enforcement officials, allowing them to seize property without a verdict from a trial. Tragically, the government can even profit from the seized assets, providing an incentive for law enforcement to seize property, even if the individual is innocent. Retrieving your belongings can be a time-consuming and challenging process, yet the practice of forfeiture and seizure has only been expanded in recent years, instead of banned.

Common Forms of Seizure and Forfeiture

Seizure of property is most commonly seen when federal officials investigate organized crime and money laundering. The government may seize assets if they suspect illegal income, even if the income is documented and taxable. White-collar crimes, particularly racketeering, also have provisions that allow law enforcement to seize assets after conviction on a criminal level. Meanwhile, civil seizures can happen before charges are filed or during the trial process.

Money laundering is a serious accusation, where an individual falsely claims that their illegal income was legally earned through different businesses. This allows them to pay taxes and use the income without raising suspicions. If the IRS suspects money laundering, they may order an audit of the individual’s businesses and taxes. Banks and credit unions are also required by law to report certain financial transactions over $10,000, and transporting over $10,000 outside of US borders requires declaration to prevent tax evasion and hiding illegal income.

The Reach of Seizure and Forfeiture Laws

Numerous laws allow federal officials to seize income and property that they suspect is unlawful, even if they have not yet proved it. This includes physical property like houses and land, which usually requires a warrant, but not currency or personal property, which can easily be destroyed or moved as evidence. Federal officials can even seize your property without the approval of a judge.

Your Right to Challenge Seizure and Forfeiture

If your property is seized, you must be given notification within 60 days and have the opportunity to file a claim and challenge the seizure. The government must initiate a civil forfeiture process, or they can choose to release the property without it.

In conclusion, seizure and forfeiture is a controversial and often abused practice that affects individuals and their assets. The laws surrounding seizure and forfeiture allow federal officials to seize assets, even if they have not yet proven their suspicion of unlawful activity. It is important to understand your rights and how to challenge a seizure if it happens to you.

The Troubling Reality of Asset Seizure

The unsettling truth is that asset seizure can occur even before criminal charges have been filed against you. The government may use your property as evidence, and in this case the burden of proof falls on the individual, not the government, making it much easier for them to take your assets and keep them even if you are later proven innocent.

An Open Invitation to Abuse

This practice has come under fire as it leaves the door wide open for abuse by law enforcement officials, allowing them to seize property without first requiring a verdict from a trial. It’s even more distressing to note that the government can profit from your seized assets, giving them an incentive to seize even when you are not guilty. The process to retrieve your belongings can be lengthy and difficult, yet the process of forfeiture and seizure has only been expanded in recent years instead of abolished.

Money Laundering and Asset Seizure

Money laundering – falsely claiming illegal income was legally earned through different businesses in order to pay taxes and use the income without raising suspicions – is a serious accusation, and the IRS may order an audit of the individual’s businesses and taxes if they suspect it. Banks and credit unions are also required by law to report certain financial transactions over $10,000, and transporting over $10,000 outside of US borders also requires declaration.

Seizure of Property

Federal officials have numerous laws that allow them to seize income and property that they suspect is unlawful, even if they have not yet proved it. This includes physical property such as houses and land, which usually requires a warrant, but not currency or personal property, which can easily be destroyed or moved as evidence. Federal officials can seize your property without the approval of a judge.

If your property is seized, you must be provided with notification within 60 days and have the opportunity to file a claim and contest the seizure. The government must initiate a civil forfeiture process, or they can choose to release the property without it.

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