Texas civil asset forfeiture law is governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 59.05. The state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that your property is contraband. That means they have to show it is more likely than not connected to criminal activity. That standard is lower than what is required in a criminal case, which is part of what makes forfeiture feel so unfair. But it is still a standard the state has to meet, and witness testimony alone may not be enough to do that.]]> Civil Asset Forefiture 2026-05-26 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-should-you-expect-at-an-asset-forfeiture-hearing-in-texas https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-should-you-expect-at-an-asset-forfeiture-hearing-in-texas At an asset forfeiture hearing in Texas, you get the chance to challenge the government's right to keep your property. The hearing is a formal legal proceeding where both sides present their arguments and evidence to a judge. The government has to show that your property is connected to criminal activity. You have the right to argue that it is not, that the seizure was unlawful, or that the property belongs to someone who had nothing to do with any crime. If you are facing an asset forfeiture proceeding in 2026, a Fort Worth asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you prepare and fight to get your property back.

How Does Asset Forfeiture Work in Texas?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process that allows the government to take property it believes is connected to criminal activity. In Texas, both state and federal forfeiture laws can apply, depending on which agency seized the property and under what authority.]]> Airport Asset Forfeiture 2026-05-08 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-currency-be-seized-without-criminal-charges-at-the-border https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-currency-be-seized-without-criminal-charges-at-the-border Currency can be seized at the border without any criminal charges being filed against you. Under federal civil asset forfeiture law, the government can take your money based on probable cause and then require you to fight to get it back even if you are never accused of a crime. If this has happened to you in 2026, a San Antonio civil asset forfeiture lawyer at Spencer & Associates can help you fight to get your money back.

How Does Civil Asset Forfeiture Work at the Border?

Civil asset forfeiture lets the government take property it believes is connected to illegal activity. The keyword is civil. This is not a criminal case, which means the government does not have to charge you with a crime or prove you did anything wrong to keep your money. The process can feel one-sided because you must actively challenge the seizure, but under federal law, the government still has to prove that the money is connected to illegal activity.]]> U.S. Customs & Border Asset Forfeiture 2026-04-24 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-you-negotiate-the-return-of-assets-before-trial https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-you-negotiate-the-return-of-assets-before-trial It is possible to negotiate the return of seized assets before a forfeiture case goes to trial. In fact, many asset forfeiture cases are resolved through negotiation rather than a courtroom fight. The government has real reasons to settle these cases, and a good defense attorney can use legal challenges and weaknesses in the government's case to push for a better outcome before a trial ever begins. Acting quickly and having the right legal help from the start gives you the best chance of getting your property back. If your assets have been seized in 2026, the Houston, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer at Spencer & Associates is ready to fight for you.

What Is Asset Forfeiture and How Does It Work in Texas?

Asset forfeiture is a legal process that lets the government take your property if it claims the property was used in a crime or bought with money from a crime. In Texas, this process is governed by Article 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Under these laws, law enforcement can seize cash, cars, real estate, bank accounts, and other property. You do not have to be charged with a crime for this to happen.]]> Criminal Asset Forfeiture 2026-04-07 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-authorities-freeze-your-bank-accounts https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-authorities-freeze-your-bank-accounts When authorities freeze your bank accounts, you have the right to fight back. The government can seize your money before charging you with any crime. You might not even know that you are under investigation. The law gives you tools to challenge that seizure, but deadlines apply, and they move quickly. If your accounts have been frozen in 2026, our Dallas, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you understand your options and start building your case right away.

Why Would Authorities Freeze Your Bank Accounts?

There are several reasons why law enforcement might freeze or seize a bank account. Knowing the reason matters because it affects what steps you can take and how quickly you need to act.

In Texas, state law enforcement can seize bank accounts and other assets under Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which governs the forfeiture of what the law calls "contraband." Contraband includes property used to commit a crime, the proceeds of a crime, or property purchased with those proceeds. Importantly, a person does not have to be convicted of a crime, or even charged with one, for the state to pursue forfeiture of their property.]]> Criminal Asset Forfeiture 2026-03-27 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-can-an-attorney-do-to-help-me-get-my-assets-back https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-can-an-attorney-do-to-help-me-get-my-assets-back When law enforcement takes your property, it can feel like there's nothing you can do about it. The process is confusing, the deadlines are short, and the government has significant resources on its side. However, you have rights, and an attorney can help protect them.

If your cash, vehicle, or other property has been seized in Texas, an El Paso County, TX asset forfeiture lawyer can step in, challenge the government's case, and fight to get your property returned to you.

What Is Civil Asset Forfeiture and How Does It Work in Texas?

Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement to seize property they believe is connected to criminal activity. In Texas, this is governed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59, which allows police to seize cash, vehicles, real estate, and other assets suspected of being used in or derived from certain crimes.]]> Civil Asset Forefiture 2026-03-15 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/is-it-illegal-to-travel-with-large-amounts-of-cash https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/is-it-illegal-to-travel-with-large-amounts-of-cash It’s not illegal to travel with large amounts of cash in the United States. No law limits how much money you can carry on a domestic flight or in your vehicle. However, law enforcement officers may still seize cash if they believe it is connected to illegal activity. This creates real risks for travelers, especially at busy transportation hubs like George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

As of 2026, civil asset forfeiture laws still allow agencies to take money based on suspicion, even if no criminal charges are filed. Our IAH airport cash seizure lawyer can help you understand your rights and fight to recover your seized funds.

Can You Legally Carry as Much Cash as You Want While Traveling in Texas?

Carrying cash is legal under both Texas and federal law. People often travel with cash for many legitimate reasons, such as business transactions, travel expenses, or personal purchases.]]> Airport Asset Forfeiture 2026-02-25 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-is-facilitation-and-how-is-it-used-to-forfeit-vehicles-in-texas https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-is-facilitation-and-how-is-it-used-to-forfeit-vehicles-in-texas Civil asset forfeiture can come as a shock, especially when it involves something as important as your vehicle. You may be surprised to learn that law enforcement may seize a car even if the owner has not been convicted of a crime.

If your vehicle has been taken or you are worried it could be in 2026, our Harris County, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer at  Spencer & Associates can help you understand your rights and guide you through the steps that may protect your property.

What Does "Facilitation" Mean Under Texas Asset Forfeiture Law?

In Texas, "facilitation" generally means that property was used to make a crime easier to commit or to help it happen. This concept is central to many forfeiture cases.

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 59.02(a), property may be seized if it is considered "contraband." This can include items used in the commission of certain crimes, including vehicles that allegedly helped transport drugs or illegal goods.]]> Cash & Vehicle Seizures 2026-02-12 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-happens-when-seized-funds-are-needed-to-pay-employees-or-vendors https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/what-happens-when-seized-funds-are-needed-to-pay-employees-or-vendors When business funds are seized through a cash seizure, the effects can be immediate. Payroll may be due. Vendors may be waiting on payment. Rent, taxes, and contracts do not pause just because money has been taken.

In 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service reported that law enforcement agencies received 9,973 seized assets and disposed of 12,381 assets through forfeiture proceedings. Seized property moves through the system while owners are left waiting for decisions.

If your business funds have been taken and you still need to operate in 2026, our El Paso, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help explain what may be possible under Texas law.

Why Are Business Funds Seized in Texas Asset Forfeiture Cases?

In Texas, law enforcement can seize money if they believe it is connected to certain criminal activity. This can happen even if no criminal charges have been filed against the business owner.]]> Cash & Vehicle Seizures 2026-01-28 00:00:00 https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-real-estate-be-forfeited-in-texas-if-only-part-of-it-is-tied-to-alleged-criminal-activity https://www.assetforfeiturelawyer.com/blog/can-real-estate-be-forfeited-in-texas-if-only-part-of-it-is-tied-to-alleged-criminal-activity In short, yes, real estate in Texas can be forfeited even if only part of the property is allegedly connected to criminal activity. That outcome surprises many owners. For example, in 2025, Texas news outlets reported on a federal civil forfeiture case seeking to seize a Texas mansion valued at more than one million dollars based on allegations that only certain financial transactions tied the property to criminal conduct.

If you own property under investigation, understanding what Texas law allows is critical. A Dallas County, TX asset forfeiture defense lawyer can help you evaluate how much of your property is actually at risk.

As of 2026, Texas continues to allow civil asset forfeiture even when no criminal conviction has occurred. When real estate is involved, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.]]> Civil Asset Forefiture 2026-01-12 00:00:00