Tag: Cash

GRL Secures Return of $35K in Cash Seized During Raid

The forfeiture attorneys at GRL Law routinely call for immediate action by citizens when police seize personal property like cash and firearms without a warrant.  If you don’t act promptly, you risk losing out on any claim for the return of your property. That’s right.  The police might keep your cash! We had the opportunity recently to challenge the seizure of more than $35,000 in cash seized during a search warrant raid.  The warrant didn’t specify cash, but the police seized it anyway. GRL Law went to work.  We argued that the money was not evidence of a crime or […]

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Due Process Rights in Property Seized for Forfeiture

If you have cash seized for forfeiture by the Iowa State Patrol or another law enforcement agency during a traffic stop, then due process entitles you to certain rights. Normally, the trooper will provide you with a Notice of Seizure for Forfeiture.  This will list the date, time and location along with a description of the seized property. You are probably thinking that the Notice tells the owner what to do to reclaim the money, right? Not exactly. The forfeiture attorneys at GRL Law have yet to see a notice that provides any description of an owner’s rights. Iowa law […]

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Property Seized for Forfeiture? Take Action Immediately

Police and prosecutors use forfeiture laws to take ownership of property that is allegedly related to criminal activity.    The police needn’t even arrest the owner to take advantage of Iowa’s civil forfeiture laws.  More often than not, criminal charges are never filed by police.  They simply seize property (mainly cash) during any traffic stop, make a colorable claim of criminal conduct and see if the owner challenges the legal process. When the owner instead abandons the property, the police and prosecutors keep the proceeds.  It can amount to millions each year. A great way to address budget shortfalls, right?  […]

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