Dallas Federal Asset Seizure & Forfeiture Defense
Has the federal government frozen your bank accounts or seized your property? If so, you need a seasoned federal asset forfeiture lawyer in your corner right now. At Broden & Mickelsen, LLP, we bring more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case we take, and we know how to fight back against the federal government and win.
Contact us today to arrange your free, fully confidential consultation with our Dallas federal crime lawyers.
Why Choose Broden & Mickelsen, LLP, for Federal Asset Forfeiture Defense in Dallas?
Federal forfeiture cases are complex and high-stakes. If you’re facing this type of legal matter, you need attorneys who have proven that they can beat the federal government at trial and on appeal.
Both partners at Broden & Mickelsen, LLP are board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as specialists in both criminal law and criminal appellate law. That dual certification means that, from the moment the government moves to seize your assets, our experienced, credentialed advocates can fight for you at every stage of your case.
The numbers speak for themselves. In one recent year, the nationwide conviction rate in federal courts following trial was 93.1 percent. By comparison, only 45.6 percent of the federal cases Clint Broden took to trial ended in a final conviction, and only 57.1 percent of those tried by Mick Mickelsen resulted in a final conviction. In federal asset forfeiture cases, we have persuaded the government to return hundreds of thousands of dollars in seized funds and assets to our clients.
Here’s what one former client had to say about working with us:
“We have our life back! Our son was accused of a crime he did not commit. Through the dedication and hard work of Mr. Mickelsen, our son was found Not Guilty. Mr. Mickelsen will forever be in our hearts with tremendous gratitude. If you are accused of something, you will be best represented and served by Broden & Mickelsen, LLP.”
– Brad H.
When you retain Broden & Mickelsen, LLP as your federal seizure and forfeiture lawyers, we can protect your rights by doing the following:
- Reviewing the circumstances of the seizure and identifying every available legal defense
- Filing a timely claim to protect your right to contest the forfeiture
- Challenging the government’s legal basis for seizing your property
- Moving to exclude evidence gathered through illegal searches or seizures
- Negotiating directly with federal prosecutors to pursue the return of your assets
- Providing comprehensive representation through every phase of the proceedings
What Is Federal Asset Seizure and Forfeiture?
Federal asset forfeiture allows the government to take property it alleges is connected to criminal activity. This type of forfeiture takes two primary forms.
In criminal forfeiture, the government seeks to seize property as part of a criminal prosecution, meaning that a conviction is typically required before the property is permanently forfeited.
Civil asset forfeiture works differently and, for property owners, often has harsher consequences. With this type of forfeiture, the government brings a legal action against the property itself rather than the owner, and it can pursue that action even without a criminal charge or conviction.
Civil forfeiture places much of the burden on the property owner to prove the assets are not connected to illegal activity. That’s a difficult position to be in without strong legal representation.
Common Types of Property Seized in Federal Investigations
Federal agents have broad authority to seize a wide range of assets. In our experience representing clients in civil asset forfeiture defense and related matters, commonly seized types of property include the following:
- Cash and bank accounts
- Vehicles, boats, and aircraft
- Residential or commercial real estate
- Cryptocurrency and financial assets
How to Challenge Federal Asset Forfeiture in Dallas
The seizure of your property by the federal government does not have to mean your case is over. Property owners have the right to contest seizures, but the process is time-sensitive and procedurally demanding. If you miss a single deadline, you may forfeit your right to challenge the seizure entirely.
Our experienced Dallas federal crime lawyers can file a claim on your behalf to compel the government to meet its burden of proof and to challenge the legal basis of the seizure. If law enforcement obtained evidence through an unlawful search or stop, we can move to suppress that evidence. We can also assess whether the government’s conduct during its investigation violated your constitutional rights and use every available argument to secure the return of your property.
Contact Broden & Mickelsen, LLP, for Federal Asset Forfeiture Defense in Dallas
The federal government has enormous resources, and it moves quickly in forfeiture cases. If your assets have been seized, don’t wait to get legal help. Contact Broden & Mickelsen, LLP today to arrange a free consultation with a federal asset forfeiture lawyer with experience in civil and criminal cases and who knows how to win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Asset Forfeiture
If the government has seized your property, you likely have many questions and little time to find answers. The following are the most common things we hear from our clients.
Can the government seize property without a criminal conviction?
Yes. Under civil asset forfeiture laws, the federal government can seize property without ever charging the owner with a crime. In these cases, the government files a legal action against the property itself, and the owner must come forward to contest the seizure to protect the property. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of federal forfeiture law, and it’s one of the primary reasons you need an asset forfeiture lawyer the moment the government moves against your assets.
How long do you have to challenge asset forfeiture?
Federal law sets strict deadlines for contesting a forfeiture. In most civil federal forfeiture cases, you have 35 days from the date of the government’s written notice to file a claim. However, that window can vary depending on the specific statute and the manner of notice. If you miss the applicable deadline, the government can obtain a default judgment and keep the property permanently.
Can businesses face federal asset seizure?
Yes. The federal government regularly targets business accounts, equipment, real estate, and other commercial assets in forfeiture proceedings tied to allegations of fraud and other white-collar crimes. If your business is facing a federal investigation or has already had assets seized, the Dallas criminal defense attorneys at Broden & Mickelsen, LLP have the experience and resources necessary to defend your interests.