you have 2 cases to prep! the criminal case the civil ... · •step 3 –claimants have...
TRANSCRIPT
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TheBasicCase:DrugDistributionorPossesswith
Intent• Adrugdealgoesdown• Thedrugdealerisstoppeddrivingacarandcarryingawadofcash
• Hehasnojob• Hehasscales,packagingmaterials,andabunchofdrugsindividuallypackagedforsale
• Everythingisseizedandthecaristowed
YouHave2CasestoPrep!
•Thecriminalcase
•Thecivilforfeiturecase
You’vedonethePWID/Distributioncriminalcaseathousandtimes….
Nowit’syourtimetoshineasaCIVILATTORNEY!
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ForfeituresMadeEasy
BenjaminH.GarrisonAsst.Commonwealth’sAttorney
Chesterfield,VAPhone:(804)748-1221
Email:[email protected]
HINT!
ThisPowerPointisanadaptationofmymanual.
Themanualiswrittenforbothattorneysandstaff.
Itlaysouttheforfeitureprocessstep-by-step!
MostCommonSeizure:AttheScene
• Iflawenforcementhasprobablecausetobelieveavehiclewasusedtofacilitateadrugoffense,anditisinapublicplace,theymayseizeit,searchit,andseizecurrencyandevidencetheyfindwithouttheneedofasearchwarrant.– Floridav.White,526U.S.559(1999)– TheU.S.SupremeCourtdecidedthattheofficersdidnotneedto
obtainawarrantpriortoseizingtheproperty,underthe4thamendment.Aslongastheofficershadprobablecausetobelievethatthevehicleisforfeitablecontraband,theseizureislegal.
• NOTE:Thisruleonly applieswhenlawenforcementisalreadylawfullyintheplacewheretheseizuretakesplace
• Moneywhichcanbetiedtothecrime
• Otherproperty
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BasicProcess
• STEP1– SeizureofPropertyatthescene• STEP2– CommenceanActionofForfeiture&GiveNotice
• STEP3– ClaimantshaveOpportunitytoReply• STEP4– Trial• STEP5- Judgment
Sothepoliceseizedtheproperty…Howdowegettheballrollingonthecivilforfeiture?
• Whenpropertyisseized,theofficersnotifytheC.A.’sofficeassoonaspossible!
• Here’swhatshouldbeprovided1. AcopyoftheDCJS998formthattheyfiledwithDCJS
(drugcases)2. Apolicereportdescribingtheevent3. Namesandaddressesofallpotentialclaimantsto
theproperty4. Liens!!!!!
C.A.Approval-ReadtheReport
• EstablishP.C.tobelievethepropertywasconnectedtoanoffenseforwhichforfeitureispermitted
• Lookforlegalissues,becausethe4thAmendmentappliestoforfeiturecases
• Lookforholesinthecaseanddeterminehowtoresolvethem(Hint:emailtheofficers)
• Lookforpotentialextraclaimants
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Q:SoIreviewedabunchofstuff…NowWhat?A:FiletheInitialPleadings• Information:initiatesthecase,allegingthespecificlegalclaimandissigned(UNDEROATH)
• Notice:statesthedateoftheinitialhearingandtellsthedefendanthowtocontesttheforfeiture
• AlsoneededareletterstotheClerkand theDefendants,aswellasacertified “HoldTitle”Letter
EndorsementofPleadings
TheC.A.signs,asanofficerofthecourt,thatanactionexists!
YouhavetoPROVEthepropertyissubjecttoforfeiture!
That’swhyyoureadthereportBEFOREinitiatingthelawsuit.
Practicepoint:Ifthefactslooklikeasimplepossessioncase,youshouldfollowupwiththeofficertoaskhowyoucanestablishPWIDinordertoendorse,asanofficerofthecourt,thatyouhaveavalidlegalaction.Remember,itisyourlawlicenseontheline.
TimingRules
• 90DayRule:Youmustfilewithin90daysiftheseizuretookplaceatthetimeofarrest,oryouareABSOLUTELYBARREDjurisdictionallyfrompursuingtheforfeiture
• 3YearRule:Ifthepropertywasnotseizedatthetimeofarrest,youhave3yearstofilethecase
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TheRedHerring:21DayNotice
• ThepolicedepartmentissupposedtonoticetheCAforthwithofaseizure
• TheCAisthensupposedtoadvisetheClerkoftheseizurewithin21days
• Thisisheldtobeadvisory,notjurisdictional
• Defenseattorneysraiseiteverynowandthen
• It’snothingtoworryabout
Butwhathappensifsomepropertywasnottakenas
evidenceatthetimeofarrest?
GetaSeizureWarrant!
WARRANT FOR SEIZURE OF PROPERTY SUBJECT T O FORFEITURE
Case No. ____________ .Va. Code Sec. 19.2-386.2
Chesterfield Circuit Court
Commonwealth of Virginia vs. ___________________________________
A. To the Sheriff or other state or local law enforcement officer authorized to serve criminal process in the jurisdiction where the property to be seized is located:
1. You are hereby authorized to seize immediately the following property:______ See attached copy of information
______ __________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. You are also to safely handle such property as provided by law.
3. You also shall make return of service of this warrant.
________________________ JUDY L. WORTHINGTON, ClerkDate
By ______________________________, Deputy Clerk
RETURN OF SERVICE
I, the undersigned officer, did seize the items as set forth in this warrant and no others.
______________________ ______________________________________Police OfficerDate
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INITIATINGACASEWITHASEZIUREWARRANT
StepOne• PreptheInformation• PreptheNotice• PreptheSeizureWarrant• Prepthemailings• AppendanAffidavitifyou
feelitisneeded
StepTwo• Havetherequestingofficer
walkthepleadingstotheClerk’soffice
• StandandwaitfortheClerktoissuetheservicecopiesoftheInformation,theNotice,andtheSeizureWarrant
• Immediatelyfindthepropertyandexecutethewarrant
• Sendoutthemailings
Whydoweexecuteitimmediately?
• Youwanttogetthepropertybeforeitishiddenorsold
• Thedefendantwillbemailedcopiesofthepleadings,bylaw
• Ifthemailinggetstothedefendantbeforetheofficerseizestheproperty,thenthepropertywilldisappear!
TheThreeLetterstoInitiatetheForfeiture
• Doacoverlettertotheclerkforfilingpurposes,explaininghowyouanticipateservice
• Mailacopyofeverythingtothedefendantwithacertification– Themailingisrequired– Thecertificationallowsfordefaultjudgmentonpostedservice
• Mailacertified“holdtitle”lettertoDMVtokeepthedefendantfromtryingtoswitchthetitleintosomeoneelse’sname
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October 8, 2013
Attn: Sandra FinneyTitle, Licensing & Registration DepartmentDivision of Motor VehiclesP. O. Box 27412Richmond, VA 23269 -001
RE: _______style of case____________
Dear Ms. Finney:
Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, we hereby notify you that a motor vehicle was seized in the County of Chesterfield for violation of Section 19.2-386.22.
Vehicle Information
Date of seizure: 8/16/12 Make of vehicle: 1982 Ford Mustang
License number: TRAITOR-79 VIN: XY1AB1779C1234567
Driver’s Name: Benedict Arnold
Owner’s Name: Same
Please provide this office with any information you may have regarding the above-described vehicle. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Benjamin H. GarrisonAssistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
Attachment
Information:Contents
• VENUEfortheInformation– Wherethepropertyis
located– Wheretheproperty
wasseized– Wheretheownercould
beprosecuted
• CONTENTSoftheInformation– Partiestodefendantandall
ownersorlandholders.– Descriptionofproperty– Groundsforforfeiture– Prayforcondemnation,
sale,ordestruction– Askforconcernedparties
toappear
REFRESHER:WhatYouNeedtoPrep
PropertyAlreadySeizedatArrest
• Information• Notice• CoverLettertoClerk• CoverLettertoDefendant• “HoldTitle”lettertoDMVif
thereisacar
PropertyistobeSeized
• Information*• Notice*• SeizureWarrant*• CoverLettertoClerk*• CoverLettertoDefendant• “HoldTitle”lettertoDMVif
thereisacar
*Allwalkedovertoclerk’sofficetogethersoseizurewarrantcanissueimmediately
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PracticeTip
• Ifthereisprobablecausetobelieveevidenceofthecrimeexists,Ipreferasearchwarranttoaseizurewarrant
• Why?• Becauseitcanissueatanytime,asopposedtoduringtheClerk’susualhoursofbusiness
ServiceofProcess• PersonalService:
– Bestformofprocess• PostedService
– Requiressubsequentmailing(“Nail&Mail”)• ServicebyPublication
– Alsorequiresmailing– Expensive
• ServiceonOut-of-StateIndividualbySecretaryoftheCommonwealth– Note:MAKESUREyouusethemostcurrentform
Service
• WhileinCriminalCourt,getasheriffinthecourtroomtoservethedefendantbothitems
• Getthesherifftoattemptstandardcivilservicetoaknownaddress
• Haveyourdetectiveservethedefendant,especiallyifyouhaveaseizurewarrant
• Ifallelsefails,servebypublication(Note:Thisisexpensive,sogroupcasesifnecessary)
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Whogetsserved?
• Anyknownpersonwithanownershipinterestintheproperty
• Anyknownlienholdermustbeincludedasapartyrespondentinthepleadings
Whatifthedefendantisincarcerated?
• §8.01-2-- apersonconvictedofafelonyandservingtimeforthefelony,duringtheperiodheisconfinedISapersonunderadisability.
• Therefore,accordingto§8.01-9thatpersonshallbeappointedaguardianadlitem.
• Further,accordingto§1-13.42and§8.01-9,juvenilesarepersonswithdisabilitiesandshallbeappointedguardians.
• Thecostsoftheguardianarepaidoutofthemoneyforfeited,ORoutoftheCriminalDefenseFundshouldthemoneyforfeitednotbeadequateortheCommonwealthlosethecase.§19.2-386.12.
HearingDate• Adefendantisprovided30daysbystatutetofileananswerunderoath,orifserviceisbypostingandacertificateofmailing,thetimelimitis40days.
• Thereforewhenpickinganoticedate,trytomakethereturn90daysout topermittheofficersawindowtoservethepapersandtoallowthetimetoanswertorunonceserved.
• Ifthereisnoanswerbythereturndate,thensubmitadefaultjudgment.
• Ifadefendantanswers,astaymayberequestedtohaltthematteruntilthecriminalproceedingsconcludesoyoumayperformdiscovery.
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SettingtheHearingDate• Alternative1:Ourjurisdictionhassomuchvolumewesetaforfeituredocketonceevery4to6weeksandnoticeforthosedates.Ourjudgerequiresasummaryfordefault.
• Alternative2:Inotherjurisdictions,thenoticeisscheduledforcivildocketcall.Ifthereisnoanswer,judgessimplygrantdefaultuponsubmissionoftheorder.
DefaultRule
• Rule3:19(a):Default.• Adefendantwhofailstimelytofilearesponsivepleadingisindefault.
• Adefendantindefaultisnotentitledtonoticeofanyfurtherproceedingsinthecase,includingnoticetotakedepositions,exceptthatwrittennoticeofanyfurtherproceedingsshallbegiventocounselofrecord,ifany.
• Thedefendantindefaultisdeemedtohavewaivedanyrighttotrialofissuesbyjury.
ProcedureonDefault
• Rule3:19(c):DefaultJudgment• Thecourtshall,onmotionoftheplaintiff,enterjudgmentforthereliefappearingtothecourttobedue.
• Whenserviceofprocessiseffectedbyposting,nojudgmentbydefaultshallbeentereduntiltherequirementsofCode§8.01-296(2)(b)havebeensatisfied.(Nail&Mail)
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TheStay
• Thestatutepermitsastayforpendingcriminalmatters
• Manyprosecutorsandlawenforcementlookatthisasanegativebecauseitdelaysaforfeitureproceeding
• However,useittoyouradvantagewhenadefendantfilesananswer
• Staythecaseandpreparediscovery!
OtherAdvantagesoftheStay
• Tocontinueinvestigatingconspiracies
• Topreventinformationfromthiscaseaffectingothercases
• ToprotectundercoveragentsorCI’s
TheAnswer:Va.CodeSec.19.2-386.3(B)
• TheactualDefendant mustsign
• Under Oath
• Itmuststateanaffirmativedefense ANDhowthedefendantreceivedtheproperty
• Itmustprovideevidencethereof!!!
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PracticeTip
• Holddefensecounsel’sanddefendant’sfeettothefire
• Insisttheyfollowthelawwhenfilingresponsivepleadings—itwillmakeyourlifeeasier!
Ifdefendantfailstoanswerappropriately,objectandcompelavalidanswer!
Discovery
• Whendiscoveryisavailable,takeadvantageofalloptions.
• Oftenadefendantconcedestheforfeiturewhenheorsherealizesheorsheiscaughtinaseriesofhalf-truthsandoutrightlies.
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Bond• Anyinterestedparty,bystatute,ispermittedtopostabondfortheproperty
• IftheforfeitureisfoundinfavoroftheCommonwealth,thebondisforfeited.
• Howtoestablishvalue– NotethatVa.Code§ 19.2-386.6statesthattheclerkshallhiresomeonetoappraisethevalueofthepropertyatissue,whichisultimatelytaxedasacostoftheproceeding.
– However,customarily,ifthepartiesagreeastothevalueitsavestimeandeffortbecauseanagreedbondmaythenbeassessedandposted,thusavoidinganextracost.
AdvantageoftheBond• Youcanoftentakeadvantagebyofferingtosettleforacomparableresalevalue.
• ItwillusuallybesignificantlyMOREthanwhatyouwillreceiveatauctionandresolvethecasewithouthavingtoargueortoassessabondvalue.
• Althoughthepoliceareaversetothis,becauseitseemsyouaregivingbackpropertytoadrugdealer,itactuallyisabetterwaytoprotectthevalueoftheassetsincethedefenseattorneycanforcethevaluationandasubsequentpostingofbondanyway!
ReallyCoolTipAbouttheBond
• Alsoremember,bygivingbackthepropertytothedefendant,itgivesyouachancethatthedefendantwillre-violateandthenyougeta2nd chanceatthesamepieceofproperty,butinaseparateforfeitureaction!
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Trial
• Thisisacivilmatter• ItisstillOURburdentosatisfytheelements—interviewsofeveryoneatthesceneduringthearrestandfollowupinvestigation closeintimethereafterareextremelyhelpfulinnegatingfalseclaimants
• EffectiveJuly1,2016,wehavetoprovetheelementsbyaCLEARANDCONVINCINGEVIDENCE!!!
TrialTips• Excludewitnessesiftherearedefensewitnesses• Callthedefendantasawitness
– Obviously,adefendant’stestimonyalonecancreateissueswithregardstohisorheranswerstodiscovery.
– However,adefendant’stestimonyisalsovaluablefromthestandpointofvalidatingcertainpiecesofevidencewhichotherwisemaynotbeadmissibleinacriminalmatterwithoutcallingthirdpartywitnesses.
• Letdefendantcallhisorherwitness—oftenheorshewillcontradictwhatthedefendanttestifiedtowhenyoucalledthedefendant!
Trialtipswhenthedefendantisonthestand
Verifylackofemployment(V.E.C.)VerifyinconsistenciesinstatementsHavethedefendantverifyelementsofyourcase(example:yourapartment,yoursofa,yourwalletonsofa,youscalesbesidewallet,yourziplocs besidescales,yourcocainebrickbesidetheziplocs—itsfuntogothroughphotswiththem)
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ExamplesofQuestioning:WhyYouDoDiscovery
• Thisisyourapartment.Thisyoursofa.Andthisisyourwalletonthesofa.Andthesearescalesbesideyourwallet.Andtheseareziplocs besidethescales.Andthisisabrickofcocainebesidetheziplocs.Andthisis$2,500cashinaboxonthefloorinfrontofthesofa...(It’sreallyfuntogothroughphotoswiththem)
• Anddidn’tyoutellofficersthatnightyoupaidallthebillsandhadnojob?Butnowyouclaimyouareacardetailer,correct?Andwhoisyouremployer?Whycouldn’themakeittoday?Andwhydidn’thereportyouremploymentfortaxpurposes?Let’sgothroughyourlastyears’taxes…
• Theseareyoubankaccounts,correct?Whatdayofweekdoyougetpaid?Sowhywere$2,500depositsbeingmaderandomlyonTuesdaysandThursdays?AndwhywerewithdrawalsbeingmadeinAtlantawithinminutesofthedeposits?WhowasmakingthewithdrawalsinAtlantaifyouwereintown?
EvidentiaryTips
• Filecopiesofdruglabs
• Filecertifiedcopiesofanyconvictionsintherelatedcriminalmatters
• FileaMelendez notice
• UsetheDefendantasawitnesstointroduceevidence
VirginiaRulesofEvidence,Rule2:704
• “Incivilcases,noexpert…shallbeprohibitedfromexpressinganotherwiseadmissibleopinionorconclusionastoanymatteroffactsolelybecausethatfactistheultimateissue…”
• Remindyourjudgethatthisiscivil,notcriminal,andgetyourdrugdistributionexperttogiveanopinion!
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Subpoenas
• Issueanysubpoenarequestswithsufficienttimetoeffectuateservice
• Keepintouchwithofficersinordertomakesureyouknowwherecrucialwitnessesmaybeserved
TrialMatters
• Thereisarighttojurytrial
• Guiltypleas,nocontestpleas,andAlford pleasfromrelatedcriminalmattersareadmissibleagainstthedefendant
• Anypartyininterestthatsuccessfullydefendsaforfeitureisentitledtoattorney’sfeesandcostsfromtheStateCriminalFund
ShiftingtheBurden:ItisDefendant’sBurdentoProvea
Defense
AssumingtheCommonwealthmeetsitsburdenatthecloseofitscase-in-chief,thedefendantoranythirdpartyclaimantmustprovebyapreponderanceoftheevidencethatadefenseorastatutoryexemptionapplies,thusaffordingthatpartyprotectionfromforfeiture
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Exemptions• Thirdparties,suchaslienholders,mustbeservednoticeofproceedings.
• Alternatively,unknownthirdpartiesmayfileanswersatanytimepriortoentryoffinaljudgmentandenterthecase.
• Theexemptionssetforthinthestatuteeffectivelyprotectinnocentownersfromforfeitingtheirinterestintheproperty.
• Whenavalidlienholderexemptionisestablished,oftenitiseasierandmorecost-effectivetoreleasethepropertytothelienholderasarepossessionactionforthedefendant’sbreachofcontract.
WhatActuallyHappens?
• CrimeCommissionStudy2015:• OfAssetsSeized:
– 75%wereforfeited;– 17%werereturnedtoowner;– 6%weredismissedincourt;– 2%werereleasedtoalienholder– 1%wereadministrative/other.
HowDoAssetsGetForfeited
• CrimeCommissionStudy2015:• OfAssetsForfeited:
– 61%WereDefaults(NoClaimantAppeared)– 28%WereBySettlement/Agreement– 11%WereByAppearanceButSubsequentJudgmentagainstClaimant
– About1%WerebyTrial
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JudgmentforDrugCash:ShowMetheMoney!
• Oncejudgmentisenteredforcurrency,theproceedsaredistributedforlawenforcementpurposes.
• D.C.J.S.getsatenpercentshareforanyforfeitureof$500.00ormore.
• OtherwisetheremainderisdispersedbyagreementtothelawenforcementagencyandtheCommonwealth’sAttorney’sOffice.
DCJSFORMREQUIRED
• AD.C.J.S.999formneedstobefiled,andtheCommonwealth’sAttorney’sofficeandthelawenforcementagencyshouldcoordinatethistaskbetweenthem.
• Insomejurisdictions,theD.C.J.S.999formsarefiledbytheCommonwealth’sAttorney’sOffice.
• However,inChesterfieldtheD.C.J.S999formsarefiledbytheForfeitureDetective.
JudgmentAgainstPropertyRelatedtoDrugs
• Thepropertymaybemaintainedandusedbylawenforcement.
• Alternatively,thepropertymaybeauctionedandtheproceedsdividedaccordingly.
• Finally,thepropertymaybedestroyeduponnotificationtotheCircuitCourt.
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Ifitisnotadrugcase…
...theordershouldreflectthatthemoneygoestotheStateLiteraryFund.
RealEstate
Ourdream! Whatweactuallyfind
RealProperty• Itisuptoyourjurisdictionastowhethertopursuereal
property• Issuesincludemaintenance,upkeep,liens,taxpayments,
andthedreadedlis pendens• FY2014:Only2RealPropertyForfeitureActionsinVirginia• InChesterfieldwedoNOTdoforfeituresforrealproperty
duetothecosts• However,wetrytocoordinatewithFederalAuthorities,
whooftenwilltakethesecases
• IFYOUAREINTERESTED,THENCALLSOMEONEWHOHASDONEITBEFORE!
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PostTrialRelief• AfterForfeiture,aclaimantmayfileforpost-trialrelief
• Forgoodcauseshownanduponproofofthedefendant’svalidexemption,DCJSshallgrantthepetitionanddirectthestatetreasurytoeitherremittothedefendantanamountnotexceedinghisinterestintheproperty,orconveyclearandabsolutetitletotheforfeitedproperty.
• Va.Code§19.2-386.10.• BurdenofProof:PreponderanceoftheEvidence
THISISCIVIL!
Thinkoutsidetheboxandhavesomefun!