TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 30, 2016

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would provide key protections to innocent persons whose property is seized under federal civil asset forfeiture laws, the ABA Journal reports. The legislation represents the most significant reform of the forfeiture laws since 2000, according to the ABA, which backed the measure. Among its provisions, the bill raises the government’s standard of proof to “clear and convincing” evidence, provides counsel for indigent property owners, institutes a new early hearing process, and allows for easier recovery of legal fees for property owners who prevail in their cases.