{"id":352402,"date":"2023-11-13T10:40:13","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T15:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/what-is-civil-asset-forfeiture.html"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:43:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T16:43:46","slug":"what-is-civil-asset-forfeiture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/what-is-civil-asset-forfeiture.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Civil Asset Forfeiture?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is Civil Asset Forfeiture?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Civil asset forfeiture<\/span> is a legal process that allows the government to seize private property<\/span> without a criminal conviction<\/span> against the owner. Unlike criminal forfeiture<\/span>, which requires proof of guilt, civil forfeiture treats the property itself as connected to criminal activity<\/span>. Property owners<\/span> must contest seizures in civil court within strict deadlines to recover their assets.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Civil <\/span>asset forfeiture<\/span> programs<\/span> account for a substantial part of state and local <\/span>law enforcement<\/span> agencies<\/span>\u2019 income. States partake of federal forfeiture<\/span> law through the Department of Justice<\/span>\u2019s Equitable Sharing Program<\/span><\/a> and subsequent state laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Forfeiture actions come with considerable controversy and allegations of abuse. If state or federal agents seize your property in a civil <\/span>forfeiture case<\/span>, you must act quickly to recover your property.<\/p>\n

Types of Forfeiture Actions<\/h2>\n

There are two types of federal forfeiture<\/span> actions<\/a>. These actions exist at the state level<\/span>, but city and county jurisdictions may have other types of cases.<\/p>\n