asset forfeiture
State takes property
Asset forfeiture is the legal process by which authorities seize property connected to criminal activity.
The property may be cash, vehicles, real estate, or other valuables.
Civil asset forfeiture allows seizure without a criminal conviction—the property itself is considered guilty—which critics argue creates perverse incentives for law enforcement: The department's budget depended heavily on asset forfeiture.
- confiscationSeizure by authority
- seized propertyAssets claimed through legal action
- cashReady spending funds
- drug bustLaw enforcement contraband seizure
- Fifth AmendmentProtection against compelled testimony
probable cause · money laundering · due process · reform movements · judicial review · legal challenge · innocent · fines · law enforcement agencies · cash grab · advocacy groups · expropriation · civil liberties · federal prosecutors · burden of proof · eminent domain · federal · public perception
- policingpatrol, police powers, arrests, police officer, arrest
- drug enforcementDEA, drug bust, narcotics, drug raid, interdiction
- enforcementenforcement actions, crackdown, fines, enforcement agencies, penalties
- forfeitureconfiscation, deprivation, relinquishment
- LaunderingAML, money laundering, dirty money, black money, placement
- anti-traffickingrescue, prosecution, investigation, victim protection, safe house
asset forfeitureproperty acquisition
Gaining ownership of real estate
asset recovery · restitution · compensation · reclamation · inheritance
asset forfeituregovernment grant
Public money awarded freely
government subsidy · public benefit · reparations · tax refund
asset, assets, forfeit, seizure, forfeited, forfeiting, forfeiture, forfeitures