Asset Forfeiture Lawyer

Civil asset forfeiture laws in South Carolina allow law enforcement agencies throughout the state to seize the assets of those suspected of criminal activity. In fact, the State of South Carolina seizes millions of dollars in property every year from citizens who may – or may not – be guilty of committing a crime. If you’re one of them, it’s time to consult with an experienced Greenville asset forfeiture lawyer. 

Your Assets

There are state and federal laws on the books that allow the federal government and the State of South Carolina to seize those assets that are suspected of being involved in some type of criminal activity – even if the person they’re seized from is not charged with a crime. The kinds of assets that are often seized include the following:

• Cash
• Cars
• Real estate, such as one’s home
• Land
• Other objects of value

The federal government describes its civil asset forfeiture program as a tool to deter, disrupt, and dismantle criminal enterprises, denying them the proceeds and the instruments of criminal activity. And asset forfeiture is so common in South Carolina that it’s often casually referred to as highway robbery.

When Innocent until Proven Guilty Doesn’t Hold

When it comes to the law, we’re all acquainted with the underlying belief that you’re innocent until proven guilty. When it comes to civil asset forfeiture, however, this underpinning of our criminal justice system is flipped, and you can’t recover your seized property unless you’re able to prove that it wasn’t obtained illegally.

When the Asset Itself Is Illegal

There are certain assets that are illegal to begin with, such as certain drugs, certain firearms, counterfeit goods, or anything else that you have no right to possess. This property is categorized as contraband per se, and when this happens, there is no legal recourse – the asset won’t be returned.

When the Asset Is Obtained through Illegal Activity

If the property that was seized from you, on the other hand, is legal but thought to have been obtained through illegal activity, it’s called derivative contraband. Common examples include money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs, property that’s used to manufacture illegal drugs, or vehicles that are used to transport illegal drugs.

There is a big difference, however, between suspecting you of having illegal contraband and proving that you do. If the authorities have seized your property through asset forfeiture, the burden of proof lies with you, and you need the skilled legal representation of a focused asset forfeiture lawyer on your side.

Reach Out to an Experienced Greenville Asset Forfeiture Defense Lawyer for the Help You Need Today

The formidable Greenville asset forfeiture lawyers at Ryan Beasley Law dedicate their imposing practice to helping clients like you successfully retrieve property that was swept up in asset forfeiture, and we’re here for you, too. For more information about what we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us online or call us at 864-679-7777 today.