Asset Seizure: $100K of Seized Cash Returned To Owner

Law enforcement stopped our client’s vehicle on a major highway in northern Illinois. Our client was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Shortly after the initial officer approached the vehicle, a second officer arrived with a police canine.

While the first officer spoke with our client, the canine officer conducted a walk-around of the exterior of the vehicle. During the exterior sniff, the dog allegedly alerted to the presence of narcotics. Based on that alert, officers searched the vehicle without our client’s consent.

During the search, officers discovered approximately $100,000 in U.S. currency wrapped in cellophane inside a bag in the trunk. Officers questioned our client about the cash without first providing Miranda warnings. Our client explained that the money represented life savings intended for the purchase of an ownership interest in a business. Because our client was unable to immediately provide documentation supporting the planned transaction, officers seized the cash.

Over the following months, our firm aggressively challenged the seizure through court proceedings, filing legal motions and providing extensive documentation regarding our client’s finances and bank account records. After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors ultimately agreed to return the full amount of the seized cash to our client.