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Can You Negotiate the Return of Assets Before Trial?

2026-04-07 00:00:00

It is possible to negotiate the return of seized assets before a forfeiture case goes to trial. In fact, many asset forfeiture cases are resolved through negotiation rather than a courtroom fight. The government has real reasons to settle these cases, and a good defense attorney can use legal challenges and weaknesses in the government's case to push for a better outcome before a trial ever begins. Acting quickly and having the right legal help from the start gives you the best chance of getting your property back. If your assets have been seized in 2026, the Houston, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer at Spencer & Associates is ready to fight for you.

What Is Asset Forfeiture and How Does It Work in Texas?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process that lets the government take your property if it claims the property was used in a crime or bought with money from a crime. In Texas, this process is governed by Article 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Under these laws, law enforcement can seize cash, cars, real estate, bank accounts, and other property. You do not have to be charged with a crime for this to happen.

What Should You Do if Authorities Freeze Your Bank Accounts?

2026-03-27 00:00:00

When authorities freeze your bank accounts, you have the right to fight back. The government can seize your money before charging you with any crime. You might not even know that you are under investigation. The law gives you tools to challenge that seizure, but deadlines apply, and they move quickly. If your accounts have been frozen in 2026, our Dallas, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you understand your options and start building your case right away.

Why Would Authorities Freeze Your Bank Accounts?

There are several reasons why law enforcement might freeze or seize a bank account. Knowing the reason matters because it affects what steps you can take and how quickly you need to act.

In Texas, state law enforcement can seize bank accounts and other assets under Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which governs the forfeiture of what the law calls "contraband." Contraband includes property used to commit a crime, the proceeds of a crime, or property purchased with those proceeds. Importantly, a person does not have to be convicted of a crime, or even charged with one, for the state to pursue forfeiture of their property.

What Can an Attorney Do To Help Me Get My Assets Back?

2026-03-15 00:00:00

When law enforcement takes your property, it can feel like there's nothing you can do about it. The process is confusing, the deadlines are short, and the government has significant resources on its side. However, you have rights, and an attorney can help protect them.

If your cash, vehicle, or other property has been seized in Texas, an El Paso County, TX asset forfeiture lawyer can step in, challenge the government's case, and fight to get your property returned to you.

What Is Civil Asset Forfeiture and How Does It Work in Texas?

Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement to seize property they believe is connected to criminal activity. In Texas, this is governed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59, which allows police to seize cash, vehicles, real estate, and other assets suspected of being used in or derived from certain crimes.

Is It Illegal to Travel With Large Amounts of Cash?

2026-02-25 00:00:00

It’s not illegal to travel with large amounts of cash in the United States. No law limits how much money you can carry on a domestic flight or in your vehicle. However, law enforcement officers may still seize cash if they believe it is connected to illegal activity. This creates real risks for travelers, especially at busy transportation hubs like George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

As of 2026, civil asset forfeiture laws still allow agencies to take money based on suspicion, even if no criminal charges are filed. Our IAH airport cash seizure lawyer can help you understand your rights and fight to recover your seized funds.

Can You Legally Carry as Much Cash as You Want While Traveling in Texas?

Carrying cash is legal under both Texas and federal law. People often travel with cash for many legitimate reasons, such as business transactions, travel expenses, or personal purchases.

What Is "Facilitation" and How Is It Used to Forfeit Vehicles in Texas?

2026-02-12 00:00:00

Civil asset forfeiture can come as a shock, especially when it involves something as important as your vehicle. You may be surprised to learn that law enforcement may seize a car even if the owner has not been convicted of a crime.

If your vehicle has been taken or you are worried it could be in 2026, our Harris County, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer at Spencer & Associates can help you understand your rights and guide you through the steps that may protect your property.

What Does "Facilitation" Mean Under Texas Asset Forfeiture Law?

In Texas, "facilitation" generally means that property was used to make a crime easier to commit or to help it happen. This concept is central to many forfeiture cases.

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 59.02(a), property may be seized if it is considered "contraband." This can include items used in the commission of certain crimes, including vehicles that allegedly helped transport drugs or illegal goods.

What Happens When Seized Funds Are Needed to Pay Employees or Vendors?

2026-01-28 00:00:00

When business funds are seized through a cash seizure, the effects can be immediate. Payroll may be due. Vendors may be waiting on payment. Rent, taxes, and contracts do not pause just because money has been taken.

In 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service reported that law enforcement agencies received 9,973 seized assets and disposed of 12,381 assets through forfeiture proceedings. Seized property moves through the system while owners are left waiting for decisions.

If your business funds have been taken and you still need to operate in 2026, our El Paso, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help explain what may be possible under Texas law.

Why Are Business Funds Seized in Texas Asset Forfeiture Cases?

In Texas, law enforcement can seize money if they believe it is connected to certain criminal activity. This can happen even if no criminal charges have been filed against the business owner.

Can Real Estate Be Forfeited in Texas If Only Part of It Is Tied to Alleged Criminal Activity?

2026-01-12 00:00:00

In short, yes, real estate in Texas can be forfeited even if only part of the property is allegedly connected to criminal activity. That outcome surprises many owners. For example, in 2025, Texas news outlets reported on a federal civil forfeiture case seeking to seize a Texas mansion valued at more than one million dollars based on allegations that only certain financial transactions tied the property to criminal conduct.

If you own property under investigation, understanding what Texas law allows is critical. A Dallas County, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you evaluate how much of your property is actually at risk.

As of 2026, Texas continues to allow civil asset forfeiture even when no criminal conviction has occurred. When real estate is involved, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.

Can Jointly Owned Property Be Seized in Texas?

2025-12-26 00:00:00

Under certain circumstances, jointly owned property can be seized in Texas, but ownership alone does not automatically mean the property will be forfeited. If you share ownership of a vehicle, home, cash, or other assets, that reality can be unsettling. The details matter, including who used the property, how it was used, and what each owner knew. Understanding how Texas asset forfeiture laws apply to shared property can help you protect your rights and avoid costly assumptions. If you have questions about protecting your property, our Tarrant County, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can answer.

What Does Asset Forfeiture Mean Under Texas Law?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process that allows the State to take property it believes is connected to criminal activity. In Texas, this usually happens through civil asset forfeiture, not criminal forfeiture. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 59.02, property may be seized if it is considered contraband, such as money, vehicles, or real estate tied to alleged crimes.

Can the San Antonio Police Keep My Car for Street Racing?

2025-12-16 00:00:00

San Antonio police seized eight vehicles for street racing in the first 10 months of 2025, and a recent fatal crash on Interstate 10 has intensified concerns about street racing across the city. Many vehicle owners are shocked to discover that police can take their car even without a criminal conviction, and some never get their vehicles back.

Unfortunately, the San Antonio Police can permanently keep your car for street racing, through a legal process called civil asset forfeiture. Under Texas law, your vehicle can be classified as "contraband" if officers believe it was used in street racing, and you could lose ownership rights entirely. This can happen even if criminal charges are dismissed or you're never convicted of a crime. If this has happened to you, let us help. Our San Antonio, TX asset forfeiture defense attorney will help you understand the laws that govern your case and how to challenge the seizure.

How To Protect High-Value Assets From Forfeiture During a Federal Investigation

2025-11-27 00:00:00

When federal agents begin an investigation, they often look closely at a person’s money and property. Expensive items like homes, cars, or bank accounts can quickly draw attention. They may try to take your property if agents believe it is connected to illegal activity. You do not even have to be charged with a crime for this to happen. If you have questions about your rights, a Houston, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you respond quickly if the government takes action against you.

Why Do Federal Agents Target High-Value Assets?

Asset forfeiture happens in both civil and criminal cases. In civil forfeiture, the government can seize property even if no one is charged with a crime. Under 18 U.S.C. § 981, federal agencies can take assets if they claim the property was involved in money laundering, drug crimes, or fraud. Criminal forfeiture occurs after a person is convicted of a federal offense. Under 21 U.S.C. § 853, prosecutors can ask the court to take property they believe came from or was used in criminal conduct.