Nassau County
Cash Seizure Lawyer

Nassau County Cash Seizure Lawyer

Nassau County Cash Seizure Attorney

Asset forfeiture is used by state and federal governmental agencies to seize assets that were gained due to criminal activity. This can be done through civil or criminal forfeiture. While criminal forfeiture requires a criminal conviction, civil forfeiture doesn’t require as high a burden of proof to seize assets. If your assets were taken through asset forfeiture, a Nassau County cash seizure lawyer can create a defense or file a claim in civil court.

Find a Defense Lawyer With Proven Results in Nassau County

When you need a top-rated criminal defense lawyer to recover your cash and other assets, reach out to the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC. Our firm has premier criminal defense attorneys who can fight for you, whether you have lost assets through civil court or may lose them in a criminal case. Our team understands how horrible it can be to lose assets on top of facing potential criminal charges. We can find the ideal outcome and protect your wealth.

At our firm, we stand up for the civil rights of our clients. When your assets are unfairly seized, we can fight for your financial and personal interests. Our team can build a case against criminal charges or file to prove the legitimacy of seized assets. Your assets may have been seized by the Nassau County District Attorney (DA) Civil Forfeiture Unit, law enforcement, or another governmental agency.

Our firm offers unique benefits, like:

We can clarify your situation and find the ideal method to recover your seized assets.

New York Asset Forfeiture Laws

Assets that are connected to criminal activity can be seized by law enforcement and governmental agencies through civil or criminal asset forfeiture. In both cases, cash seizure laws enable agencies to seize the following:

Proceeds of a crime. These are any assets, such as cash, that are secured from criminal activities, usually felony offenses. In addition to proceeds, substitutes for proceeds can also be seized. These are any assets bought or exchanged for illegally gained money. Asset appreciation is also considered proceeds of a crime.
Instrumentality of a crime. This includes any property that is used directly and materially to commit a crime, not including buildings or real property. However, real property instrumentality of a crime is also included if the suspect holds an interest in real property that directly contributed to committing a crime.

The Nassau County DA reported over $5.5 million in total assets forfeited under state law in 2024, compared to $2.1 million in 2023.

The goal of asset forfeiture is to prevent individuals from profiting from criminal activity. However, it can sometimes affect innocent people, particularly civil forfeiture, which doesn’t require a criminal conviction.

It can be terrifying to lose assets unfairly. The median household income in Nassau County was over $143,000 in 2024, and losing the wealth you worked for can be incredibly unsettling and stressful. A Nassau County cash seizure attorney can file to prove that assets were not criminally related or defend you against criminal charges.

The Difference Between Criminal and Civil Asset Forfeiture

Governmental agencies can conduct civil or criminal forfeiture. Both apply to assets secured or allegedly secured through criminal activity.

Criminal forfeiture happens as part of a criminal case after a conviction. It affects the person convicted, and only the assets directly connected to the crime they were convicted for can be seized. Once the assets in a criminal forfeiture are taken, they often cannot be recovered unless the conviction is overturned in an appeal.

Civil forfeiture does not require a conviction, and it can even be completed without criminal charges. Law enforcement agencies can seize assets that they suspect are connected to criminal activities. There is a much lower standard of proof required for this seizure. To recover assets in these cases, you must file a claim in civil court and prove that the assets were from legitimate sources.

FAQs About Nassau County Cash Seizure Laws

What Does Law Enforcement Do With Seized Cash?

What law enforcement does with seized cash and other forfeited assets depends. Assets secured through civil forfeiture are often distributed to law enforcement, programs against criminality, and other efforts to combat crimes. Assets secured through criminal forfeiture may be used as restitution paid to victims of crimes like fraud, and they may also go to pay law enforcement agencies.

The New York State Asset Forfeiture Report states the amounts that go to agents, restitution, investigations, prosecutions, and other funds.

What Personal Property Can Be Seized in an Arrest in New York?

The personal property that can be seized in an arrest in New York is generally assets related directly to the crime you are charged with, but it can also include assets that law enforcement suspects are connected with criminal activity. These include:

Law enforcement may seize cash, vehicles, real estate, luxury assets, art, jewelry, and more.

Can You Always Recover Seized Assets?

No, you cannot always recover seized assets. In a cash seizure case, you can likely only recover seized assets if:

Otherwise, the assets will likely be forfeited. This is why it is important to hire a cash seizure lawyer and criminal defense attorney to help. Even if you are criminally convicted, an appeal and an overturned verdict could prevent asset forfeiture.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Cash Seizure Lawyer?

If you have lost cash or other assets in an asset forfeiture action, the support of an attorney is crucial for potentially recovering those assets. They can protect your rights against law enforcement and assess your options for recovering your cash.

If you are criminally charged, a defense attorney can create a strong defense against your specific charges. If the asset forfeiture occurs through civil court, an attorney can prove that the assets were not criminally obtained.

Get Trusted Legal Support in Nassau County

At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we can provide you with an exceptional criminal defense against charges. If your assets are at risk or have already been seized through civil forfeiture, we can help. Reach out to our firm today.