The Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Program is a nationwide law enforcement program that continues to be an effective and powerful strategy in the fight against crime.

Purpose: The primary mission of the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program is to employ asset forfeiture powers in a manner that enhances public safety and security. This is accomplished by removing the proceeds of crime and other assets relied upon by criminals and their associates to perpetuate their criminal activity against our society. Asset forfeiture has the power to disrupt or dismantle criminal organizations that would continue to function if we only convicted and incarcerated specific individuals.

Scope: The Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program encompasses the seizure and forfeiture of assets that represent the proceeds of, or were used to facilitate federal crimes. Forfeiture may proceed under either administrative or judicial processes. Further, the DOJ program applies only to cases developed by enforcement officials in certain agencies of the Federal Government.

State and local government agencies and some international law enforcement agencies may have similar efforts, operating under the authority of international, local or state laws. Those efforts are not part of the US Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program.

Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000

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