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On December 1, 2006, Rule G of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or
Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions, part of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, became effective.
This new rule governs procedures for civil asset forfeiture actions in the federal
courts.
Notice of judicial forfeiture actions has traditionally been published in newspapers.
Publication of both civil and criminal judicial forfeiture notices are now permitted on a government internet site. This site incorporates the forfeiture notices that have previously been published only in newspapers.
Civil and criminal forfeiture notices will continue
to be published in newspapers for a period of time before newspaper publication
is eventually abandoned in favor of this website. The website will contain a comprehensive
list of pending notices of civil and criminal forfeiture actions in United States District Courts
around the country.
Please note that Title 18, United States Code, Section 983(h)(1), permits a court
to impose a civil fine on anyone asserting an interest in property which the court
determines was frivolous.
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