Understanding Criminal Forfeiture in Minneapolis & St. Paul MN
Criminal forfeiture occurs when the state takes a person’s property in connection with a crime. For example, if a vehicle was used to transport illegal drugs, the state of Minnesota could seize the vehicle as part of the criminal trial and investigation. In that criminal forfeiture scenario, the person “forfeits” their property (the vehicle) to the state. If you’re facing criminal forfeiture, don’t do it alone. Make sure you have an experienced criminal forfeiture attorney at your side to advocate for your rights and fight for a favorable outcome.
When Does Criminal Forfeiture Occur?
The State of Minnesota often invokes criminal forfeiture when:
The defendant has been convicted of, or is being prosecuted for a crime; and
The property has a strong enough connection to the crime to justify taking it
Commonly seized assets and property in criminal forfeiture actions can include:
Houses;
Businesses and/or business assets;
Cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles; and
Other types of property
Criminal forfeiture often applies to certain offenses more than others, like drug trafficking, racketeering, or illegal gambling. When a property is attained through criminal means, this may constitute grounds for forfeiture. For example, if a home was purchased using laundered money, the home could be fair game for the government seizure.
The Difference Between Criminal Forfeiture and Civil Forfeiture
Criminal forfeiture is the seizing of property directly linked to criminal activity. Civil forfeiture, however, occurs when the state seizes property in connection with certain crimes like drug offenses, DWI, prostitution, or fleeing police. In other words, they “bring charges” against your property. Civil forfeiture in Minnesota is an extremely complex subject. According to the National Institute for Justice, Minnesota earned a D+ on its use of civil forfeiture. Since civil forfeiture isn’t directly connected to the criminal prosecution, its implementation can be subjective, which leads to an overextension of its true purpose. According to the Institute for Justice, “Minnesota ranks 19th for federal forfeiture, with nearly $26 million in Department of Justice equitable sharing proceeds from 2000 to 2013.”
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