Q: I do not know what my charges are. I wasn't in my truck, and yet they're trying to keep it. I don't know what to do
A:
You should hire an attorney in or near the county where you were arrested who has experience defending civil forfeiture proceedings. The government can pursue seizure and forfeiture actions even though no one was arrested and no charges have been filed. As the owner of the truck, it is incumbent on you to challenge the legal basis for the forfeiture. This type of proceeding requires an attorney with specific experience defending such actions.
JUSTIA does not include this particular type of proceeding as one of the areas of practice attorneys can choose for their profile listing.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
First, it's important to gather all the information related to your situation. Contact the police department or court handling your case to request details about the charges and why your truck is being held. You have the right to know the specifics of any allegations against you.
Next, consider reaching out to a local legal aid organization or an attorney for guidance. They can help you understand your rights and the legal procedures involved. It might be possible to recover your truck or challenge any charges if they are unjustified.
Lastly, document everything related to your case, including any communication with authorities. This can be crucial if you need to contest the charges or the seizure of your property. Taking these steps can help you navigate this challenging situation more effectively.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
