Garza Law Firm © 2009 All rights reserved.
The Garza Law Firm, PLLC defends Tennessee Driving Under the Influence and Tennessee Boating Under the Influence charges, as well as other Personal Injury and Criminal Defense cases, across the State of Tennessee. The Garza Law Firm serves the following cities and counties, including but not limited to: • Alcoa • Anderson County • Athens • Blount County • Bradley County • Campbell County • Chattanooga • Claiborne County • Cleveland • Clinton • Cocke County • Cookeville • Crossville • Cumberland County • Dandridge • Englewood • Etowah • Gatlinburg • Grainger County • Greene County • Greeneville • Hamblen County • Hamilton County • Hancock County • Harriman • Hawkins County • Jefferson City • Jefferson County • Johnson City • Knoxville • Knox County • Lenoir City • Loudon County • Madisonville • Marion County • Maryville • Maynardville • McMinn County • Meigs County • Monroe County• Morgan County • Morristown • New Market • Newport • New Tazewell • Oak Ridge • Oliver Springs • Overton County • Pigeon Forge • Polk County • Putnam County • Rhea County • Roane County • Rutledge • Scott County • Sequatchie County • Sevier County • Sevierville • Sullivan County • Sweetwater • Tazewell • Tellico Plains • Unicoi County • Union County • Vonore • Wartburg • Washington County
1.888.384.2255
CALL NOW TOLL FREE 24 HOURS A DAY
1.888.DUI.CALL
Defending Your Future.
Tennessee DUI Defense Lawyer
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website should not be construed as legal advice. Any information submitted by our online intake form does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Garza Law Firm, PLLC, until you sign a contract of representation. Although we cannot guarantee that information sent over the internet will not be intercepted, we will keep the information confidential once it is received by our office.
Tennessee DUI Vehicle Seizure or Forfeiture Attorney
Tennessee DUI Defense Lawyer
Tennessee DUI (driving under the influence) Property or Vehicle Forfeiture proceedings are civil actions, but are typically started in conjunction with an arrest for a criminal offense, and begin with the seizure of property.
The basis for taking the property will be allegations that the property was connected to criminal wrongdoing or DUI. Any property is subject to seizure depending on the circumstances, but cash and automobiles are the items most commonly seized.
A person who commits either a second or subsequent violation of DUI or, in some cases, Driving on a Revoked License, is subject to having the vehicle he or she was driving seized and forfeited to the State of Tennessee. If the owner's interest in the automobile is forfeited, the State may sell the vehicle and keep the proceeds, or otherwise use the vehicle for governmental purposes.
Likewise, any cash, automobiles, or other property used in the commission of certain drug offenses is also subject to seizure and forfeiture. Property may also be forfeited if it is the proceeds of any criminal offense.
In order to contest the forfeiture of property, a claimant must ordinarily file a petition with the Tennessee Department of Safety for the return of the property within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of seizure. Failure to file a claim or you’re your Tennessee DUI lawyer file a claim within this period will act as a waiver of any right the person has to recover this property. The person whose property has been seized must also include with his or her petition the anticipated court costs or a cost bond (usually in the amount of $300.00) as security for the court costs.
Property may be subject to forfeiture even if the person from whom the property is being forfeited is acquitted or found not guilty of the charge underlying the initial seizure.
Because the facts, law, and circumstances of each case vary, it is important to contact a experienced Tennessee DUI lawyer at The Garza Law Firm we are experienced in handling vehicle forfeiture proceedings with the Tennessee Department of Safety.