Title: Money seizure lawyers
1Representing Individuals Nationwide
Free Consultation 877-406-6906
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com
2Postal Seizures
Did you know that the United States Postal
Inspection Service (USPIS) can seize packages in
much the same manner as United States Customs and
Border Patrol (USCBP)? Just as USCBP can seize
any illicit property at an airport or border
crossing, USPIS can seize illicit property that
goes through the U.S. Mail.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is an
old but little known branch of United States law
enforcement. Just like any other law enforcement
agency, USPIS can serve and execute warrants,
make arrests, and more. With a warrant, USPIS can
open and inspect first class mail.Time is usually
of the essence
with postal investigations, so warrants are often
obtained and issued quickly. To get a warrant,
the officer need only convince a judge or
magistrate that there is probable cause the
letter or package is involved with a crime. In
general, probable cause roughly amounts to
reasonable likelihood for example, a simple
alert by a drug dog often satisfies this
requirement. Such an alert would thus give USPIS
authority to search that package, resulting in at
least a delay in mailing if not an outright
seizure or arrest. Moreover, USPIS can inspect
other classes of mail without a warrant, since
they are not considered private correspondence.
USPIS inspects mail to search for mail fraud,
weapons, weapons, harmful or terrorism-related
materials, and narcotics.
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com
3U.S. Customs Money Seizure
Are you the Victim of a US Customs Money
Seizure? Many American citizens traveling abroad
are unaware of the requirement to report the
transportation of U.S or foreign currency. In
fact, U.S law requires that any currency or other
monetary equivalents that exceed a 10,000.00
threshold must be reported directly to U.S
Customs and Border Security prior to entering or
leaving the country. The consequences for
violating the law can be severe, and may include
the seizure of the assets as well as other
penalties. In a global environment of escalating
crime and the threat of terrorism, U.S. Customs
agents are particularly sensitive to large,
unreported sums of cash entering or leaving the
country. Reporting Requirements The Currency and
Foreign Transaction Reporting Act (CFTRA)
specifically outlines the currencies and the
other monetary instruments that must be
reported. This includes cash and coins of
domestic or foreign origin as well as travelers
checks. Any negotiable instruments that can be
transferred to another legal entity such as money
orders, checks, stocks, promissory notes and
securities are all subject to the provisions of
the Act. There are exclusions in the law that
exempts certain elements with transferable
value. This would include bills of lading,
warehouse receipts, and checks or money orders
which have either not been endorsed or have
endorsements with restrictions.
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com
4How to File a Proper Report U.S. Citizens are not
prohibited from carrying sums in excess of
10,000.00 in or out of the country. Regardless
of the monetary value, the reporting requirement
can be satisfied by filing FinCEN Form 105 which
is available through the U.S. Customs and Border
protection department. There are no associated
custom duties, fees, or taxes that must be paid
to transport currency. Filing the appropriate
form completely satisfies any legal
obligations. When Funds are Confiscated Involunta
ry seizure of currency or other monetary assets
usually results from a failure to file the proper
form or including erroneous information in the
text. In most instances, the violation was a
result of a lack of knowledge relating to the
reporting requirement. On other occasions,
customs officials may misinterpret the intent of
the seizure regulations. Time is of the essence
in currency seizure cases and it is important to
immediately file a petition for relief. The
longer the money remains in the custody of U.S.
Customs, the more likely that the assets will be
forfeited to the government. Customs seizure law
is complex, and it is important to have
experienced legal representation throughout the
process. Most of the currency that is seized
will ultimately be forfeited to the government,
primarily due to a lack of aggressive recovery
efforts. This is an area of the law where an
attorney with expertise can prove extremely
valuable.
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com
5Seizure of Goods
Customs has the power to seize either money or
goods if they are transported in violation of
federal law (i.e the Seizure of Goods). The
violation of federal law can be that the goods
are stolen, smuggled, contraband, violate court
order or trademark, or are a hazard to public
safety. Under 19 USC 1595a, the penalties
section, some imports that are contrary to law
mandate forfeiture, and some authorize
forfeiture. Pursuant to 19 USC 1618, a person
with an interest in seized goods may file a
petition for remission of the fine, penalty, or
seizure. The petitioner has the burden in this
petition. A petitioner must prove that the
penalty was incurred without willful negligence,
without intent to defraud the revenue of the US
of violate the law, or mitigating circumstances
exist that would justify remission. Our
experienced attorneys can file a Petition on your
behalf and work to demonstrate these burdens
pursuant to CFR 171.1 and CFR 171.2. It is
important to get an attorney and firm such as
ourselves involved right away, even during the
investigation period. At times statements you
make even prior to the seizure can be used
against you and prejudice your case. Our
attorneys can guide you through the process from
start to finish. If you are in a position where
your Petition has already been rejected, we might
be able to get you a second bite at the apple. In
some situations, a supplemental petition can be
filed after a denial. Alternatively, if you have
learned more through the process and think that
Customs has a stronger case, we may be able to
make an offer in compromise on your behalf to
attempt to mitigate the loss.
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com
6Can I Get My Money Back? Our attorneys are
regularly able to recover the monies you had
seized. Offering nationwide legal assistance, we
will prepare the administrative petitions and
negotiate with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
to see that you are returned your seized cash.
Our firm is so confident that we will succeed we
offer a No Fee Guarantee. Thus, you will not owe
our firm an attorney fee if we cannot recover
your money. If your Petition has already been
denied, and your circumstances warrant it, we can
even appeal your case to federal court. Our Goal
is to Get You Your Money Back.
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. Time is
of the essence, and in most cases you must file a
petition within 30 days of the seizure notice.
Nationwide call our Attorneys at 877-406-6906 for
a free consultation.
Locations
DETROITGarmo Kiste, PLC50 W. Big Beaver
Road, Suite 240Troy, Michigan 48084Telephone
(877)-406-6906Fax (248) 436-6829
SEATTLE 100 Andover Park W, Suite 150 Tukwila,
Washington 98188Telephone (877) 406-6906Fax
(248) 436-6829
www.uscustomsmoneyseizure.com