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Seized
Property and Money Can be Returned
when the government
seizes your money or property you can get it back
with the help of Kenneth H. Lewis
When a search or arrest is made,
or a party crosses the border, or leaves an airport,
the government will often try to keep any money or property
it finds, whether or not a crime has been charged. The
authorities may try to have you sign a document saying
you have no interest in the money or property, or threaten
you with criminal punishment if you try to claim the
items. Don’t be intimidated – you have the
right to challenge the government to try and get your
property back. You need to immediately contact an
experienced Forfeiture Lawyer, like Kenneth H. Lewis
with 30+ years of experience in successfully returning
seized property.
DEADLINES
Parties are often notified only through the mail
that their property is actually being seized by the
government. There are strict deadlines as to when
you must oppose the forfeiture, depending on whether
it is a California or federal forfeiture. You must
make sure that, after a seizure has occurred, that
you, or someone you know, watches your mail for the
forfeiture notice. After you receive it you must immediately
contact an attorney like Kenneth H. Lewis who knows
how to handle these complex and specialized cases.
Most ordinary criminal and civil lawyers have little
or no experience in this field.
CRIMINAL vs. CIVIL FORFEITURES
Forfeitures can be either “civil” or
“criminal”. A criminal forfeiture is made
part of the criminal case, and follows the regular
criminal trial. If you are convicted of the crime
charged, then the issue of whether the property can
be given to the government is held. A “civil
forfeiture” is a case entirely separate from
a criminal case (if there even is one) and is a civil
proceeding in a civil court. Procedurally this is
like a regular civil case and can include “depositions”
[questioning under oath] and “interrogatories”
[written questions that must be answered under oath].
Only an attorney with civil forfeiture experience
like Kenneth H. Lewis is qualified to handle this
type of case.
IF MY MONEY OR PROPERTY IS BEING TAKEN, WHAT SHOULD
I DO?
- Do not talk to the police
or federal agents beyond claiming that the property
is yours
- Do not sign any documents
saying the property is not yours, even if they promise
to let you go, or threaten you if you won’t
sign
- Ask that a lawyer knowledgeable
about forfeitures, like Kenneth H. Lewis, be present
- You can sign a receipt for
your property as long as everything is listed on
it, there is no denial of your right to claim the
property, and no admissions of any kind are made
in it
- Immediately contact an attorney
experienced in handling forfeiture cases
- Constantly check you mail
for a “Forfeiture Notice” and immediately
contact your qualified forfeiture attorney when
it arrives
- If a “Forfeiture Notice”
has not been received within 7 days of the seizure,
let your forfeiture attorney know
- Have all documents that
show how the money and property was legally obtained
available for review by your forfeiture attorney
THE BURDEN OF PROOF
Believe it or not, all the government has to do is
show a “prima facie case”, i.e. a presumption
that illegality is involved in obtaining the property,
and the burden shifts to you to prove that the property
should be given back. In other words, you may have
the burden to prove you are entitled to your own property
– something you need a qualified forfeiture
attorney to do!
WHY HIRE KENNETH H. LEWIS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR
FOFREITURE CASE?
Kenneth H. Lewis has successfully handled both California
and federal forfeiture cases for over 30 years, both
civil and criminal. He has successfully tried these
cases, and negotiated successful settlements. He knows
the ins and outs of forfeiture cases. He is responsible
for the return of considerable sums of money and property.
He is fearless in his resolve to obtain the very best
results for his clients and never rests until that
job is done. He is admitted before all California
courts, the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Central District
of the United States District Court.
No cost consultations are available.
Mr. Lewis will meet with you and begin to determine
what needs to be done. He will frankly analyze the
case and be honest in an assessment of your chances
of obtaining a recovery. Jail interviews may be possible.
The entire forfeiture process and procedure will be
explained in detail. If retained, he will always,
promptly return all telephone calls. He will leave
no stone unturned in trying to have your money and
property returned!
Call Ken Lewis now to calendar
a NO COST CONSULTATION at: 213-624-4904,
day or night, or e-mail him at Kenlewis@losangeleslegaldefense.com
LAW OFFICES
OF KENNETH H. LEWIS & ASSOCIATES
633 West Fifth Street, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
TELEPHONE:
213-624-4904
E-MAIL: Kenhlewis@losangeleslegaldefense.com
FAX: 213-623-7301
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