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Fighting For Your Rights

“If you want someone who is going to get stuff done, I highly recommend Cohen and Hirsch. Not only did I beat my case, I even got my record cleaned.”
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“Hired Matt Hirsch at a distance to take on a traffic case with a missed mandatory court appearance (or two). Even as the case dragged on longer than anticipated (not the fault in any way of the lawyer), and indeed went a couple rounds, Mr. Hirsch remained engaged, positive, and proactive. I firmly believe he and his firm resolved my case with the best outcome for me. Would recommend Cohen & Hirsch for cases of my type without reservation, and his working for me at a fairly great distance, without my ever appearing back in state, deserves particular note”
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“I found Andy Cohen via a google search and after our initial phone conversation I was happy to hire him. The circumstances that drove me to solicit an attorney were sensitive to say the least. He was kind, sympathetic and detailed which I appreciated very much. He kept me well informed throughout the hearing process and Andy always made sure to be available if I had any questions or concerns. I highly recommend Andy and his team to help you through what is likely a difficult process.”
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“Seamless experience dealing with Andy and Jill. They are both very knowledgeable and will go to bat for you. I was referred to Cohen and Hirsch by a friend and will refer them to others myself. Truly great people who care and love what they do. One thing that stood out to me is that they will update you consistently without you having to reach out. I will continue to use them in the future and so should you.”
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“Matt was great. The day I called him he jumped right in and a week later charges were dropped! He’s my guy here on out. Not to mention he saved me 3k from the first firm I called.”
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“If I could rate this law firm with more stars, I would. If you desire an excellent attorney that cares, has a great relationship with court system, communicates quickly, stays on top of your case and strives for the best outcome possible, then look no further than this law firm. Jill and Andy handled an extremely complicated case for my son with special needs and we received the outcome we desired. His case was dismissed and he can move now on with his life. I am very pleased and grateful to them for their efforts.”
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“Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value”
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“Matt was a great treasure! Always kept calm and let me be the same. Looking at his fb feed, I was convinced he’s the right person for me. Helped get through a difficult situation. His fees were also comparable to the others given the amount of personal attention he paid to the case. Never had the trouble of dealing with the paralegals(as we all know what happens). He was always available on text. Great experience!!”
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“Wow, what an unexpected experience. We have all heard the horror stories and the jokes about lawyers. Well, I've been fortunate not to have had reason to use a lawyer... until now. Or at least that is what I thought. I don't want to get into the details, but I had sent an inquiry into the firm through their website and Andy reached out to me. He was patient, professional and funny. He spent a good 15 to 20 minutes on the phone with me. Explained to me in detail what I could expect. And recommended that I don't actually need a lawyer for what I have to do. I can't express my sincere gratitude enough. In the event I ever do need a lawyer, I know exactly who I'm calling.”
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“Andy is a GEM! Such a lovely man. Jill is a pretty pitbull. Under the circumstances they were very helpful and SUCCESSFUL. I could not have asked for a smarter pair.”
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“I write to recommend Matt A. Hirsch, Esq. for those in need of legal representation and guidance. He is highly competent and experienced, conscientious, organized and responsive. Attorney Hirsch is someone you want in your corner if you need help.”
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Civil asset forfeiture laws can prove costly for innocent Georgians

Under civil asset forfeiture laws, Georgia authorities may confiscate personal property without proving that a crime occurred or the owner was involved.

Many people facing criminal charges in Atlanta take solace in the fact that they are considered innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, when it comes to civil forfeiture of personal assets suspected to play a role in criminal activity, Georgia law establishes remarkably different standards. The state’s expansive forfeiture laws may leave many people at risk for property loss, even if they have done nothing wrong.

Low standards of proof

Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement authorities to confiscate property involved in illicit activity, such as gang activity and drug crimes. To seize property, Georgia authorities only need to show a preponderance of evidence – rather than clear and convincing evidence – that the property was used in illegal activity, according to the Institute for Justice. A variety of personal assets can be seized under the Georgia Code, including:

Cash and negotiable instruments.
Securities and accounts.
Personal property, including real estate and vehicles.
Interests and contractual rights over enterprises a person owns or runs.

Once the property is seized, authorities can keep it without convicting or even charging the owner with any crimes. Instead, the owner is responsible for showing that the property was not involved in illegal activity, which can be challenging. Title 16 of the Georgia Code even specifies that authorities can keep property if the owner “intended” to use it in criminal activity.

Unlike many states, Georgia follows laws that let law enforcement agencies sell the confiscated property and keep 100 percent of the proceeds, according to the Huffington Post. Critics worry this creates an incentive for authorities to seize property without strong proof that a crime even occurred.

Alarmingly, oversight for these seizures can be limited. Prior to a 2011 lawsuit filed by the Institute for Justice, law enforcement agencies frequently failed to file the mandatory seizure reports. Today, there is no agency that tracks the amount of property seized or the way the proceeds are used, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Fighting asset forfeiture

There are numerous stories of people in Georgia having assets confiscated despite minimal proof of criminal activity. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, one woman and her son were driving through Georgia on their way to view winter homes in Florida, with the intent of buying or renting one. The woman brought $11,530 in cash for the home-hunting trip.

The woman’s son was pulled over for speeding, and upon questioning, he told the officer about the cash in the trunk. The officer asked if the pair had any narcotics in the vehicle and then used a police dog to search for drugs. The dog did not alert, but the officer still seized the cash under the suspicion that it was being used in drug trafficking.

Fortunately, this woman ultimately was able to get her money back. Still, her case illustrates how easily authorities may seize assets, even in the most innocent circumstances.

Victims of civil asset forfeiture can challenge the seizure in a hearing. However, these people must act quickly, before they lose the right to request a hearing. Anyone who has had assets seized through civil forfeiture should not delay contacting an attorney for advice on challenging the forfeiture.

Keywords: forfeiture, civil, asset