Free Press Reports that Travelers Abandon $500,000.00 at Airports in 2012

The federal government’s financial situation seems so dire that it has turned to saving change in a jar, according to a recent report from the Detroit Free Press. In 2012 travelers abandoned over $500,000.00 mostly in loose change at airport security. Chicago and Las Vegas International Airports raked in the most coin, at over $22,000.00 each. The funds are spent on Civil Aviation Security, but some law makers hope to divert these funds to non-profit organizations. Evidently privacy is not the only thing people forfeit for the convenience of flying. If you have accidentally abandoned money at TSA  you can file a claim with TSA within 60 days.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013304120189

Have you been the victim of a government asset or money seizure ?  Act quickly to get our lawyers working hard to get you back your money. Our firm has the experience and skills that you need on your side for success. Nationwide, call our Attorneys at 877-406-6906, or contact us with a private message.  Time is of the essence!

US CBP Port Everglades Money Seizures

Port Everglades  of Broward County, Florida is one of the busiest ports for trade and tourism in South Florida. Whether it’s international cruise lines, or US coastal tours, the people, ships, and products pour in and out of Port Everglades all day, every day.

Popular with the Navy as a favorite port, it also boasts the largest service of petroleum products for South Florida, an area that demands jet, car, and standard oil fuels in massive amounts for it’s tourism industry. It’s easy access to international transportation, and mild climate allows Port Everglades to offer comfortable and safe travel for it’s countless travelers both in and out of the United States.

Whenever international, and even national travel is concerned, it is important to know and understand the rules and regulations that make up the United States Custom Laws.  It is legal and permissible to transport money in and out of the United States, however, if the amount being transferred is over $10,000 the proper report must be filed. This is Customs Form 4790.  Failure to file the proper report can result in your money being seized by the government.

If the U.S. government has seized your money, or begun litigation in civil forfeiture against you, you need the assistance of an attorney who has helped other clients, successfully defend themselves.  Get the help you need now: call us now for a free consultation at 877-406-6906, or contact us with a private message. Time is of the essence!

Detroit, MI: $12,00.00 US seized, $11,000.00 US Returned

After five and 1/2 months of hard work, one of our customs attorneys recently succeeded in recovering nearly $12,000.00 in seized funds from US Customs and Border Patrol. These funds were seized in Detroit, Michigan, at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel crossing while the client attempted to enter the USA from Windsor, Canada. While the funds were legitimate, the client misstated the amount of money that he was bringing into the country. Unaware of the strict and complex reporting requirements, the client did not realize the potential damage of such a mistake.

Because of the complexity of the law and process surrounding US Customs policy, this is an easy and all too common mistake, and what makes the situation worse is that many people are unaware that they can often recover these funds. Time is of the essence, however—in most cases, an individual will lose his opportunity to challenge a seizure if he fails to file a petition within 30 days. Additionally, the longer the money remains in the custody of U.S. Customs, the more likely the assets will be completely forfeited to the government. Finally, even with a diligent attorney, the complexity of US customs law often makes for a long recovery process. Given the harsh time constraints and complicated law, many individuals are not aware of their rights, or are unable to adequately fight for those rights. As a result, most of the millions of dollars that Customs seizes annually are forfeited to the US government.

Legal representation is of the utmost importance in this area. If this has happened to you, you need an advocate who knows the way around the complex policies and bureaucracy of Customs, and who can constantly, diligently fight for the recovery of your money before time runs out.

With so much at stake, why risk it? To retain our experienced customs seizures lawyers call 877-406-6906, or contact us with a private message, we practice throughout the US. If this has happened to you, or to a friend or loved one, time is of the essence, Call Now!

Detroit: $33,000.00 Seized, $33,000.00 Returned

In late 2012 one of our attorney’s was able to see our client get the quickest return of seized assets yet, recovering all seized funds held by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, in under a month and 1/2. While in many cases, individuals are only able to recover a portion of monies seized, because of settlement guidelines, and penalties, this sum represents the entire amount seized in this case.

This client was apprehended at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, where he accurately declared all of his money. Afterwards, however, Customs agents found marijuana on the client’s person, and he was subsequently charged with a misdemeanor. Customs seized the drugs, but then also seized the client’s money, Customs took the money under the pretext that the client had failed to report it—Customs failed to accurately classify the money as part of a drug seizure, in doing so, it allow our offices to successfully argue, no violation existed, and the money needed to be returned. Now if the money had been seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), or the case had been characterized as a drug money seizure, it would have made any recover efforts on behalf of the client much more difficult.

While time is always of the essence in Customs cases, timing was especially crucial in this case. Because the client retained us immediately after this occurred, we were able to act quickly enough to recover the money before the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), was able to make a parallel seizure.

If this has happened to you, a friend or a family member, act now. Even if Customs has seized your money along with drugs or other illegal materials, or if you failed to properly declare your money, there may be a way to recover if you act quickly enough. Of course, you’ll also need an aggressive, fast-acting attorney who knows how to navigate the complex area of customs law. We have expert attorneys who practice throughout the US and who will persevere until your money is recovered, so call us now for a free consultation at 877-406-6906, or contact us with a private message. Time is of the essence!

Customs Seizures & the Burden of Proof

The phrase burden of proof is a legal term of art that describes whose job it is to prove a case, and to what level of certainty. For example, in criminal matters it is the prosecutor’s job to prove the defendant guilty beyond a responsible doubt.

In a customs seizure case, the burden of proof is on the Government only to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture; you the claimant can rebut this presumption if you can show you are an “innocent owner” as defined by the statue. Meaning you have to mount an offense to prove that your money not only was wrongfully seized, that it comes from a legitimate legal source, and that its intended use was a legitimate legal use. All elements must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence.

Our experienced Attorneys know what an uphill battle this is burden creates for those whose money is seized, we can help you gather documents, witnesses, and other evidence to meet this burden, win your case, and have you money returned to you.

With so much at stake, why risk it? To retain our experienced customs seizures lawyers call 877-406-6906, or contact us with a private message, we practice throughout the US.

If this has happened to you, or to a friend or loved one, time is of the essence, Call Now!

If your cash or property was seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and you fail to act in a timely manner, then you will automatically lose. In most cases you must file a petition within 30 days of the seizure notice.

The Federal Government regularly seizes millions of dollars from Travelers every year, don’t let them take your money without a fight, Nationwide call our Attorneys at 877-406-6906 for a free consultation, or contact us with a private message

The Reporting Requirements & Traveling Companions

As if the declaration rule wasn't difficult enough for the uninformed traveler, whether you are traveling with a family member or even a friend if you as a group have in total $10,000 or more, you cannot divide the currency between each other to avoid declaring the currency. This includes: Cash in any currency, Traveler’s Checks, and Authorized Checks.

For example, if one person is carrying $5,000 and the other has $6,000, you would have a total of $11, 000 in your possession and must report it on a FinCEN 105. If a person or family fails to declare their monetary instruments in amounts of over $10,000, their monetary instrument(s) could subject to forfeiture and could result in civil and/or criminal penalties.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/195/kw/money%20seizures/related/1

If this has happened to you, or to a friend or loved one, time is of the essence, Call Now!

If your cash or property was seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and you fail to act in a timely manner, then you will automatically lose. In most cases you must file a petition within 30 days of the seizure notice.

The Federal Government regularly seized millions of dollars from Travelers every year, don’t let them take your money without a fight, Nationwide call our Attorneys at 877-406-6906 for a free consultation, or contact us with a private message.