You Can Fight Civil Forfeiture of Your Vehicle
You may be surprised and stunned if your vehicle was recently seized under Indiana’s civil forfeiture law. Civil forfeiture can occur under IC 34-24-1-3, and it can include the seizure of a vehicle. For an Indianapolis resident who relies on their motor vehicle to get to and from work, as well as for all other transportation, having a car or truck seized can be devastating and angering. Is there anything you can do about civil forfeiture and the seizure of your vehicle? You can fight this action, and our Indianapolis civil forfeiture attorneys can help. Consider the following information, and then get in touch with our firm to learn more about your options.
How Can Civil Forfeiture Laws Result in a Vehicle Being Seized?
Under Indiana’s civil forfeiture laws, private property belonging to citizens of Indiana can be seized when the government alleges that the property has been involved in illegal activity. The law is relatively broad, and it allows for property to be taken without due process. For example, if a vehicle is allegedly involved in the transport of controlled substances for distribution or sale, it may be possible for law enforcement to seize that car or truck.
To be sure, private citizens’ property can be seized quickly and without very much warning at all. Depending on the asset or assets seized, the seizure can alter the property owner’s daily life and well-being.
Your Rights After Civil Forfeiture Laws Result in a Seizure of Your Vehicle
If the local government or local law enforcement plans to seize your vehicle, you must receive notice. Under Indiana law, when the property to be seized is either a vehicle or real property, “the prosecuting attorney shall serve…a copy of the complaint upon each person whose right, title, or interest is of record in the bureau of motor vehicles, in the country recorder’s office, or other office authorized to receive or record vehicle or real property ownership interests.”
For anyone who has been served with a complaint, it is crucial to know that you only have 20 days to file an answer. You will want to contact a lawyer as quickly as possible so that a default order is not entered against you and your property is ordered forfeited. Yet even if your property has already been seized, you may be able to fight the seizure with assistance from a lawyer.
Contact Our Indianapolis Civil Forfeiture Defense Lawyer for Assistance
Did you have your vehicle seized, or other property or assets seized, under Indiana’s civil forfeiture law? Having your property seized can be devastating, and it is important to fight the seizure that has occurred. One of the experienced Indianapolis civil forfeiture defense attorneys at Rigney Law LLC can discuss the details of your case with you today and help you to learn more about your options for fighting civil forfeiture and the seizure of your car or truck. Contact our firm today to find out more about how we can help you to get your property back.
Source:
law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-34/article-24/chapter-1/section-34-24-1-3/
