Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most rampant criminal activities in America. In fact, it's likely that every person in the country knows at least one person who has been arrested for this charge. Unfortunately for those arrested, the consequences can be severe. Most people know about license restrictions and fines that come along with a DUI conviction, but many are quickly learning that they could also lose their vehicle altogether. This is known as a vehicle forfeiture, and anyone in a locality that engages in this practice needs to know what they may face.
Is Car Forfeiture Legal?
Many people don't even understand what car forfeiture is. In a nutshell, some states and localities allow for the seizure of a person's assets if it's believed that they were either gained through or used for illegal activities. Some governments use this ill-worded law to allow for the seizure of a person's car if they're arrested for DUI, technically an illegal activity, while in the vehicle. This can even occur in cases where the driver of the vehicle wasn't the actual owner of the vehicle.
The United States Supreme Court has taken on cases of property forfeiture, and they've found the process completely legal. Sadly, it's likely that many legal professionals were not aware that this law would be used to seize people's vehicles after a DUI. The scariest part is the fact that this is handled as a civil matter rather than a criminal one.
Being informed is the key. Try visiting sites online like, Devorelawoffice.com, where you will be advised that, "The forfeiture process itself initially takes place through what are known as administrative proceedings. Rather than taking place in a court of law, an administrative hearing will be scheduled within thirty days of the seizure of the vehicle, administrative proceedings are similar to what takes place in regard to a driver’s license suspension."
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