Civil, criminal and administrative asset forfeiture laws allow the government to take the private property of everyday citizens, sometimes with only the most tangential connections to criminal activity. Or none at all. These unjust seizures of property can be challenged, though few Californians are aware of their right to do so, much less how. If this happens to you, and your initial request is denied, then you have a very short window in which to appeal, and you better make sure you get...
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If your property, cash, or car has been seized by the police in Los Angeles, California, civil asset forfeiture defense and appeal attorney Jacek Lentz is a specialist in fighting to get it back. He has a decades-long track record of helping Californias recover property or money unjustly seized by state or federal law enforcement agencies and may even be able to work on a contingency basis for those who cannot otherwise afford such a qualified attorney. But you have to act fast. The...
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In addition to working to further close exploitable loopholes, anyone concerned about their rights and freedoms in the state can demand transparency, accountability, and justice. Unfortunately, for now, the system is rigged against the most vulnerable in our society and remains largely in the hands of federal government agencies and state prosecutors with a perverse incentive to encourage civil asset forfeiture abuse. Until all financial incentives to seize property have been removed, there...
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Over the last 20 years, civil asset forfeiture at the state and federal levels has exploded into a veritable industry for law enforcement agencies across the country, including in California. While some of these seizures may indeed be connected to genuine crimes or be justified in the fight against drugs, there is no doubt that forfeiture procedures, rules, and loopholes are regularly abused to help fund police, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies. Even 20 years ago, academics were...
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If you were detained at an airport and had your luggage searched, it is likely that you are feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. A simple search can often result in currency seizure when the police allege that your money was related to an illegal narcotics transaction or other illegal activities. If this situation sounds familiar, it is important to keep the following in mind: Don’t panic, take a deep breath, and expect a long process. Do not get drawn into long answers or discussions...
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Asset forfeiture is a serious step that can be taken against a client to hinder them from engaging in criminal activities such as fraud. When a client’s property is about to be taken away from them, he or she will need urgent legal representation to stop the process, and the clients will keep the property. As an attorney, you may work outside the office when you attend meeting clients, among other issues. Your clients may be challenged to reach you most of the time, especially during the...
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Driving with cash and/or valuables is apparently a big offense and may get you detained by police even if you have done nothing wrong. A couple and their one year old child were driving through Texas when they saw the dreaded sirens in the rear view mirror. The man who was driving was the owner of a restaurant and he was on his way to buy restaurant equipment from an auction. He had $50K cash. He also had an iPad, cell phones and the car of course. The police took it all after they had a dog...
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Our law firm has been contacted by dozens of individuals, seeking advice from an experienced and qualified asset seizure/forfeiture attorney, regarding the seizure of their private safe deposit boxes on Monday March 22, 2021. Most individuals who contacted us are in a state of shock to see most or all of their life savings confiscated. This is what we know thus far, as of the time of this article, based upon information we have garnered: Law enforcement consisting of police units from the...
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If you are under suspicion of committing a drug trafficking or money laundering offense, police can seize your possessions (money, assets, or both). In civil property forfeiture, the police can detain your possessions even when you aren’t facing a criminal charge. Once this happens, you must learn how to retrieve your money back. Note that legal forfeiture processes are very different from normal civil processes. Thus, it may be a challenge to go through the processes alone. For guidance and...
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The legalization of marijuana has been around for quite some time. However, there are no clear regulations about its commercial sale. This is marked by the conflict between state forfeiture laws and the sale of recreational cannabis. Due to this misfortune, many people have lost properties to the government once they are seized due to alleged violations of different marijuana laws. This makes asset forfeiture laws a unique enforcement tool that poses a threat to the recreational cannabis...
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When the DEA seized a significant amount of money from my house, I didn't know what to do. I didn't think I would get any of it back. Fortunately, a friend of mine referred me to Jacek Lentz. Jacek's knowledge of the forfeiture laws and experience enable him to get the best possible results. He went right to work as he is aware of the very strict time limitations set by the government and got me back all of my money--$160,000! It is vitally important to choose a lawyer who knows the forfeiture laws inside and out and is well-connected. You couldn't do better than attorney Jacek Lentz. He is simply the best there is!
Our son had his money confiscated on a charge that was not true. Jacek was able to help with his criminal case as well as getting his money back that was taken from him without any cause from the police. I very highly recommend him!
From the beginning of my process of trying to recover my funds which were seized by the DEA, Mr. Lentz was very professional and gave me tremendous guidance during a very frustrating time. He did not give me false hope but did what most attorneys don't and gave me the honest facts. He explained the process to me and I understood that his vast experience and relationships gave me a higher likelihood of receiving my funds back. Throughout the process, he would touch base frequently, always be available for my questions and keep me on task with information he needed to do his job. I felt I had someone very strongly going to bat for me. In the end, I got the best case scenario--I received all my funds back which I definitely did not expect. I recommend him to anyone needing these services. You will be taken care of in the utmost professional manner.
Whereas government agencies will make it appear like they have every right to seize your property since you, your household member, or your loved one is accused of an offense, don’t listen. Whether the connection between the criminal activity and the property in question is strong enough is for the court to decide. Contact Asset Forfeiture Attorney law firm today at 888-571-5590 to schedule a complimentary consultation and case evaluation. We serve clients throughout California and nationwide facing asset forfeiture.
888-571-5590
1055 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1996A
Los Angeles, CA 90017