Minnesota Vehicle and Property Forfeiture Attorney
ALMOST EVERY FORFEITURE IN MINNESOTA REQUIRES THE OWNER TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. FAILURE TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF YOUR WITHOUT A COURT HEARING!!!
A Minnesota citizen can lose their vehicle for a DWI/DUI, test refusal, Drug and Prostitution offenses. It makes no difference how much the vehicle is worth. In some case, a vehicle can be taken by the State even when the owner is not charged or convicted of any criminal offense. Forfeiture cases are complicated and labor intensive. Fight for your property. You have defenses.
It is important that you understand how critical the proper Minnesota property and vehicle forfeiture attorney is when your rights and your property need defending. Call Brent S. Schafer now for a free consultation to discuss your case. The police have most likely already taken your property. If you do not respond immediately, THEY WILL KEEP IT!! You need an experienced and aggressive Minnesota Vehicle and Property Forfeiture Lawyer working for you. Contact Schafer Law Firm Today!!
Perhaps the most widely used vehicle forfeiture statute involves alcohol related driving offenses. Minnesota law enforcement confiscated and forfeited over 3,000 vehicles in 2009. Whether your vehicle has been taken away due to a DWI/DUI, Test Refusal, drug or solicitation of prostitution arrest, you need an aggressive and experienced Minnesota Forfeiture Lawyer standing next to you fighting for you and your property.
Brent is a former prosecutor and has been representing clients whose property has been taken from them by the law enforcement for the past 13 years. Brent will guide you through this trying time and help you defend you and your property against forfeiture. Brent has successfully tried numerous forfeiture cases and negotiated the return of forfeited property in dozens of other cases.
A motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture under Minnesota law if it was used in the commission of a "Designated Offense" or was used in conduct resulting in a "Designated License Revocation."
Designated Offense includes:
- A criminal charge first-degree and second degree driving while impaired,
- A driving while impaired offense when the driver has a canceled driver's license after being found inimical to public safety. A persons driving privileges are generally canceled as being inimical to public safety after losing their license for DWI/Test Refusal or after being convicted of a third DWI in a ten year period.
- A driving while impaired offense by a person who is subject to a restriction on the person's driver's license (b-Card) under section 171.09 (commissioner's license restrictions), which provides that the person may not use or consume any amount of alcohol or a controlled substance.
This means that a driver having two prior DWI convictions or DWI related license revocations on their record within the past 10 years, the next DWI arrest will result in the seizure of your car and forfeiture proceeding. Also, if a driver has a b-card (mentioned in #3 above) and gets arrested for DWI, their vehicle will be seized and subject to forfeiture. This is true regardless of the date of the last DWI offense or loss of driver's license.
It is important to understand that a vehicle can be forfeited based upon a driver's first DWI arrest or conviction.
Brent S. Schafer represents individuals throughout the State of Minnesota who have had their property taken by the law enforcement and prosecuting authorities. Brent has successfully challenged these forfeiture attempts resulting in the return of property and at times with a requirement that the law enforcement reimburse his client for costs associated with the challenge.