CAN THEY SEIZE MY CAR?

CAN THEY SEIZE MY CAR?

Maryland law provides that essentially any property used in connection with narcotics trafficking may be siezed by law enforcement, and forfeited to the State.  Section 12-102 of the Criminal Procedure Article -Property subject to forfeiture- provides: "The following are subject to forfeiture:  (1) controlled dangerous substances manufactured, distributed, dispensed, acquired, or possessed in violation of ... law;  (2) raw materials, products, and equipment used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting a controlled dangerous substance...; (3) property used or intended for use as a container for property described in item (1) or (2) of this subsection; (4) ..... conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels used or intended to be used to transport, or facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt, possession, or concealment of property described in item (1) or (2) of this subsection; (5) books, records, and research, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, and data used or intended for use in violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substances law;  (6).... money or weapons used or intended to be used in connection with the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or possession of a controlled dangerous substance or controlled paraphernalia; (7) drug paraphernalia....;  (8) controlled paraphernalia ....; (9) the ... balance of the proceeds of a sale by a holder of an installment sale agreement under § 12-626 of the Commercial Law Article of goods seized under this subtitle; (10) .... real property; and (11) everything of value furnished, or intended to be furnished, in exchange for a controlled dangerous substance in violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substances law, all proceeds traceable to the exchange, and all negotiable instruments and securities used, or intended to be used, to facilitate any violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substances law." Not surprisingly, money is the most common property seized pursuant to this section. The forfeiture law also provides that  "[m]oney or weapons that are found in close proximity to a contraband controlled dangerous substance, controlled paraphernalia, or forfeitable records of the importation, manufacture, or distribution of controlled dangerous substances are contraband and presumed to be forfeitable." If you've had money property seized under this law, you may want to consult an seasoned lawyer. If a claimant can establish another, legitimate, source of the money, he or she may be able to rebut this presumption and regain their property.