Reclaim Your Property With Atlanta’s Seasoned Forfeiture Attorney

As forfeiture lawyers serving the greater Atlanta area, we witness daily how the government relentlessly seeks to seize your money and property. Beyond forcing businesses and individuals to pay exorbitant taxes, they aggressively target your property, cash and bank accounts through forfeiture actions, often based on dubious claims of connection to alleged violations.

Across Fulton County and throughout Georgia, we see shocking cases where the government attempts to forfeit property from owners who never committed – and may not even know about – the alleged violation. These seizures frequently target assets with no genuine connection to any wrongdoing. At The Rice Law Firm, LLC, we stand ready to challenge these aggressive government actions and fight for your rights.

How Do Forfeiture Proceedings Work?

There are hundreds of forfeiture statutes and laws throughout various regulations and code provisions. Each forfeiture provision allows the government to seize different property types in various ways. The process becomes even more complex because your defense strategy must align with the specific kind of forfeiture proceeding the government initiates when they take your property.

For example, there are three primary types of forfeiture proceedings:

• Administrative – a forfeiture in which a government agency takes action
• Civil – a forfeiture with civil action only and does not involve an arrest
• Criminal – a forfeiture that is part of a criminal prosecution

Each type of forfeiture requires you to take different procedures to claim and protect your property.

Types of Forfeiture Statutes

There are numerous forfeiture statutes that require the government to prove different elements when it seeks to seize your property. For example:

• 21 USC 853, 881 (drug forfeiture statutes)
• 18 USC 981 (money laundering forfeiture statute)
• 18 USC 924(d) (firearms forfeiture statute)
• 18 USC 1963(a) (RICO forfeiture statute)
• 18 USC 981 (a)(1)(G) (terrorism forfeiture statute)
• 31 USC 5317 (structuring forfeiture statute)

Similarly, these forfeiture statutes require you to produce different types of evidence in order to claim and protect your property. The complexity and number of varying forfeiture provisions and procedures can be a minefield for inexperienced attorneys. Do not risk your only chance to get your property back.

What Should I Know Before Filing A Claim?

Recovering seized property requires filing a civil forfeiture action. This is a crucial step in reclaiming what is rightfully yours. However, before filing a claim, make sure you know these key facts:

1. Time is of the essence. You have only 30 days from the notice date to contest the forfeiture. Missing this deadline could mean losing your property permanently.
2. The government must prove your property’s involvement in criminal activity. As your attorneys, we will aggressively challenge their claims.
3. Documentation is crucial. Gather all relevant proof of ownership, financial records and evidence showing your property’s innocence.
4. Forfeiture cases are complex. Our team, led by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Rice, stands ready to defend your rights in federal courts.
5. Recovery is possible. Seized property can be returned if it is not linked to criminal activity. We will work tirelessly to prove your case.

When it comes to forfeiture cases, it is important to avoid communication with government agents without legal representation. Any statements you make could potentially be used against you in both the forfeiture proceeding and related criminal cases. We strongly recommend consulting with a forfeiture defense attorney before taking any action.

An Attorney Who Focuses On Results

Forfeiture attorney Richard Rice has forced the government to return millions of dollars that the government tried to take from businesses and individuals. Mr. Rice has defended businesses and individuals faced with seizure warrants, administrative forfeiture proceedings and judicial forfeiture proceedings. As a result, he has saved companies and families from financial ruin.

During his former career as a federal prosecutor (Assistant United States Attorney), Mr. Rice conducted forfeiture investigations and prosecuted criminal and civil forfeiture actions. He now brings those years of experience to help you. The government did not earn this money. You did. The government should not be able to take this money. Do not let it.

Concerned About Asset Forfeiture? Get Legal Options.

Request a consultation to learn how we can strive to recover your assets. With just a phone call to our firm at 770-615-0816 or a convenient email, you may be one step closer to having your money or property returned.