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Sammis Law Firm
Sammis Law Firm
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In Rem Jurisdiction in Civil Asset Forfeiture Cases The Ninth Circuit’s decision in United States v. Nasri, No. 22-55685, 2026 U.S. App. LEXIS 27014 (9th Cir. Sept. 2, 2026) marks a major constitutional limit on federal civil asset forfeiture. By holding that the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause bars federal courts from exercising in rem […]
CBP’s Supplemental Petition Decision under 19 CFR § 171.62 When U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seizes cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, or commercial merchandise, property owners often begin by filing an administrative Petition for Relief under 19 CFR Part 171. If CBP denies your original petition or grants unsatisfactory relief […]
Forfeitures Involving Allegations of Bankruptcy Fraud When the government wants to seize property involved in bankruptcy fraud, it often uses the catch-all forfeiture provision in 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C) which authorizes the forfeiture of the proceeds of criminal bankruptcy fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 152. The most common scenario arises when a person files […]
Civil asset forfeiture has long been one of the most controversial mechanisms in American law enforcement. Rooted in medieval maritime law, the practice allows the government to seize property—such as cash, vehicles, real estate, or valuables—suspected of being connected to criminal activity. Under civil forfeiture, the legal action is taken against the property itself (in […]
Meet The Attorneys Sammis Law Firm was founded in 2008 by Jason Sammis and Leslie Sammis. For the past 18 years, our main office has been located at 1005 N. Marion Street in downtown Tampa. Over the years, the firm has grown to six (6) attorneys, four paralegals, and an intake coordinator. We have additional […]
The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients after their cash or other valuable property is taken at the airport. After the seizure, most people are shocked to learn that federal agents can seize money this way. Our clients might want to fly with cash for any variety of reasons including moving, planning to buy […]
Seizing Agencies for Forfeitures in Florida Under Florida’s Contraband Forfeiture Act, law enforcement agencies seize property. Florida Statute Section 932.704(1) requires law enforcement agencies to use provisions of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act to seize property for forfeiture. The civil asset forfeiture attorneys at Sammis Law Firm help clients get their property back throughout the […]
Seizure for Forfeiture in Sarasota County In the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order No. 2016-15 establishes uniform procedures for forfeitures of personal property in Sarasota County, FL. The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm are familiar with the tactics used by law enforcement agencies in Sarasota County, FL, when they seize for forfeiture U.S. Currency (cash […]
Seizures for Forfeiture in Marion County, FL The Marion County Sheriff’s Office seizes property for forfeiture. That property might include U.S. Currency, cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin), vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and other valuable property. Seizures might occur with or without a search warrant at a home, business, or during a traffic stop at the roadside. For cryptocurrency, […]
Seizures at the Fort Lauderdale Airport What happens if the police or federal agents with DEA, CBP, or Homeland Security at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport discover that you are carrying a large sum of cash? If the authorities find the cash in your wallet, carry-on bag, or checked luggage, they might confiscate or seize […]
