Forfeiture Actions

In a forfeiture case, the government seeks to take property on the theory that the property was used in the commission of a crime or was purchased with proceeds from criminal activity. Forfeiture actions often involve homes, businesses, vehicles, and cash. Deborah Ellis has taken numerous forfeiture cases to trial in both state and federal courts. Early in her career she successfully defended parents in state court where the government tried to take the parents’ home because their son was found in possession of several tablets of LSD in the house. Recently she successfully tried the first federal forfeiture case to a jury in Minnesota. There she defended the Hell’s Angels against the government’s attempt to take the Hell’s Angels clubhouse on a theory that the clubhouse substantially facilitated illegal drug activity. The jury, however, found in favor of the Hell’s Angels, deciding that the clubhouse was not used to facilitate illegal drug activity.

Deborah Ellis provides skilled and effective legal representation to individuals when the government attempts to forfeit items of property that were either used in criminal activity, facilitated the activity or were paid for with proceeds of criminal activity. Property that may be subject to criminal forfeiture include the following:

• Homes
• Farms
• Businesses
• Jewelry
• Cars
• Trucks
• Motorcycles
• Boats
• Cash

If the government is seeking to take your property, pay close attention to the notice of forfeiture you receive. You must stake your claim in a timely manner. Keeping your property out of the government’s hands takes more than a phone call – it takes an experienced lawyer. Call Ms. Ellis or contact the office by e-mail if you want to fight to keep your property.