Comments by "😊 Erin Thor" (@Erin-Thor) on "Civil Asset Forfeiture Win Turns Into a Loss Because of Legal Fees" video.

Been there, done that. Lost $7000 on my way to Vegas and went to court to get it back with my checking statements, bank deposit records, tax returns, etc. from my rental properties. The “trial” lasted a few minutes, the judge just said these are checks and cash deposits are not proof the money was lawfully earned. The judge encouraged me to appeal. The lawyers wanted $13k up front to take the case. THEY KNOW THIS! The burden of proof is entirely on you, the individual.
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@natephill7041 — The cop stopped me on a common highway to Vegas, and one of his questions was am I carrying cash, of course everyone would say yes. I was clueless and told him how much and why. The officer made it sound easy, just go to town and you can get your money back. It was NOT easy, multiple visits, forms, a trip for court, and then when I realized it was pointless… it began hitting me that I hadn’t even been written a ticket. This, every single one of his stops on that highway were I assume purely for the money grab.
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@RichardLewisCaldwell — Nice try but not with Civil Asset Forfeiture laws, it’s not a case against you, the individual, it’s a case of the government against/vs. the money seized. You (I) am/was required to show, to prove that the money was lawfully earned AND mine. Bottom line was the judge said proof of cash/check deposits was not proof the money wasn’t drug money or whatever. He encourage me to appeal, but the cost to do so made the whole thing moot. Keep in mind too that in most states the police departments, even sometimes officers get a percentage of the drug money seized, this is to them a legitimate source of income.
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@joelsefur666 — You are correct, I was naive. Now when I hear those words… I just smile and say so that’s why you stopped me, and say nothing.
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@RichardLewisCaldwell — I believe the judge knew that with that amount, it would cost more than it was worth to proceed. The judges tone seemed compassionate, but the lawyers I spoke to all advised me to drop it and move on. I like your enthusiasm, but at that time, I’d already spent almost $3k in travel, hotels and legal fees, and when I learned what it would cost to take the case further… I was just emotionally crushed. And I thought I was very convincing, brought a listing of my rental properties, quicken reports showing every expense and payment received for years. It’s easy to think you can Sue to get your money back, but you can’t. Not joking, the burden of proof was entirely on me, it was the literal reverse of how you might think this would work. What irks me most was the hubris, they KNOW what they were doing, and knew everything they needed to do to keep the funds.
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