Warrants to Seize Property Subject to Forfeiture

Many forfeiture actions begin with the property owner being served with a warrant to seize property. The warrant might be served on an individual, home, business, bank account, digital asset wallet, or cryptocurrency exchange. After the seizure, an federal law enforcement agency might issue a notice of seizure to the owner of that property if its value is less than $500,000.

To get the property back, the Claimant should file a “claim for court action” with the seizing agency. That claim can be filed even if they never received a notice of seizure, especially for high value assets worth more than $500,000 seized for forfeiture.

Filing that claim triggers a 90 day statutory deadline for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) to initiate court action. The AUSA can initiate court action by filing a complaint for forfeiture in the United States District Court or by filing an indictment that list the property seized as being subject to forfeiture.

In many cases, the AUSA might “decline” to initiate court action which then results in a requirement that the property be returned to the owner. Hiring an experienced civil asset forfeiture attorney might help you get the property back faster and protect yourself in the process.

Attorney for Warrants to Seize Property Subject to Forfeiture

If your property was seized for forfeiture using this form, contact an experienced asset forfeiture attorney at Sammis Law Firm. The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm can help you decide what to do after your property is seized for forfeiture.

After we notify the agency that you are represented by counsel, they can not longer contact you and all communications must go through our law firm. We can help you gather information about the investigation and decide whether to file a claim for court action.

To speak to an experienced asset forfeiture attorney at Sammis Law Firm, call 813-250-0500.

AO 109 (Rev. 11/13) Warrant to Seize Property Subject to Forfeiture

Federal agencies often use the following form to seize property subject to forfeiture:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

for the

______________________

Case No._____________

In the Matter of the Seizure of

(Briefly describe the property to be seized)

_____________________________

WARRANT TO SEIZE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE

To: Any authorized law enforcement officer

An application by a federal law enforcement officer or an attorney for the government requests that certain property located in the _________________ District of ______________ subject to forfeiture to the United States of America. The property is described as follows: ________________________

I find that the affidavit(s) and any recorded testimony establish probable cause to seize the property. YOU ARE COMMANDED to execute this warrant and seize the property on or before _________(not to exceed 14 days)

___ in the daytime 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

___ at any time in the day or night because good cause has been established.

Unless delayed notice is authorized below, you must also give a copy of the warrant and a receipt for the property taken to the person from whom, or from whose premises, the property was taken, or leave the copy and receipt at the place where the property was taken. An officer present during the execution of the warrant must prepare, as required by law, an inventory of any property seized and the officer executing the warrant must promptly return this warrant and a copy of the inventory to ____________ (United States Magistrate Judge).

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3103a(b), I find that immediate notification may have an adverse result listed in 18 U.S.C. § 2705 (except for delay of trial), and authorize the officer executing this warrant to delay notice to the person who, or whose property, will be searched or seized (check the appropriate box)

__ for days (not to exceed 30)

__ until, the facts justifying, the later specific date of _______.

Date and time issued: ______________

Judge’s signature: ______________

City and state: ______________

Printed Name and Title: _______________

AO 109 (Rev. 11/13) Warrant to Seize Property Subject to Forfeiture (Page 2)

Return

Case No.:

Date and time warrant executed:

Copy of warrant and inventory left with:

Inventory made in the presence of:

Inventory of the property taken:

Certification

I declare under penalty of perjury that this inventory is correct and was returned along with the original warrant to the designated judge.

Date:

Executing officer’s signature

Printed name and title

This article was last updated on Tuesday, October 15, 2025.