Innocent Owner Defense in Minnesota
A vehicle subject to forfeiture following a DWI must be returned to an innocent owner under specific circumstances. Effective January 1, 2022, this innocent owner defense will be spelled out in the statute and should – in theory – make this process more accessible for the owner. There is a strict procedure to follow, and
Responsibility for Storage Fees When Your Vehicle is Forfeited
At a recent conciliation court hearing on behalf of a client asserting that she was an innocent owner of a forfeited vehicle, the State vehemently objected to my request that the State bear responsibility for the storage fees of the vehicle. This is not surprising, which is why I was ready for this argument. But,
How to Get Back Seized Property
As you probably know, police may seize property – with or without a warrant – if it believes the property has some potential evidentiary value. As expected, this leads to an abuse of the system. Police often seize property for no reason other than to harass the property owner. Without a notice of an intent