Nashville
DUI Vehicle Seizure/Forfeiture Attorney
Tennessee Vehicle Seizure Laws
Local agencies responsible for direct law enforcement seize property consisting of vehicles, money, real property, and other miscellaneous property. The agency then sends the paperwork to the Legal Division to process, as jurisdiction has been given to the Commissioner of Safety for the disposition of this property. Property may be seized for possession of narcotics, illegal or prescription. Vehicles may be seized for driving on a driver's license that has been revoked for driving under the influence (DUI) and for DUI for a second or subsequent time.
If your vehicle has been seized, you probably have a lot of questions. Because the facts, law, and circumstances of each case vary, it is vital to contact a lawyer who is experienced in handling vehicle forfeiture proceedings with the Tennessee Department of Safety. At May McKinney, we advise and represent clients in all DUI and criminal matters, including those involving property seizures and vehicle forfeitures.
To discuss your case with a seasoned professional, call (615) 265-6383. We serve Nashville, Mount Juliet, Brentwood, Franklin, and all of Tennessee.
Vehicle Forfeiture Proceedings in Nashville, TN
A Notice of Seizure and Forfeiture of Conveyances form is completed by the officer at the time property is seized. He or she gives this to the person in possession of the property as a receipt to show that the property is, in fact, being seized. He or she is then responsible for taking this Notice of Seizure and a completed Forfeiture Warrant to a local judge to show probable cause for the seizure. If the judge finds probable cause for the seizure, he or she signs the warrant.
Once the warrant is signed, the Notice of Seizure form and signed warrant are submitted to the Legal Division. Notice that a Forfeiture Warrant has been signed is sent by certified mail to anyone reasonably located who may have an interest in the property. They're responsible for filing a petition requesting a hearing within 30 days of receiving the letter and signing the certified mail receipt.
Once a petition is filed, the case is set for hearing to determine the disposition of the property. Notice of the hearing date is sent to all parties who have filed a petition about 30 days before the hearing is set. This hearing will be presided over by an Administrative Law Judge out of the Secretary of State Administrative Procedures Division. The State has prosecuting attorneys for these hearings. Claimants will need to hire their own defense attorney, at their expense.
Talk to a Skilled Lawyer About Your Rights
The State will have a prosecuting attorney at your property seizure hearing. Make sure you have your own lawyer to protect your interests. With our almost 80 years of collective experience and holistic approach to our clients’ cases, we at May McKinney are committed to securing results in vehicle forfeiture and property seizure hearings as well as criminal matters related to DUI and all misdemeanor and felony offenses.
Contact our firm today at (615) 265-6383 to find out how we can protect your rights, interests, and property.
Our Clients Say It Best
Read Our Client Testimonials
At May McKinney, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Best defense lawyer in the middle Tennessee area"So I was charged with schedule 2 simple poss and paraphernalia. His excellence got it dropped to a simple paraphernalia charge with unsupervised probation! It was a mandatory 30 days in jail to basically nothing but fines. Well worth every penny. If you need a lawyer call this guy immediately. He'll do everything he can with a smile to give you the best results possible. Thank God for Rob Mckinney!!!- Daniel Himes
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"Incredibly helpful"This was my first experience ever being accused of a crime and I was very nervous and scared. Rob and his staff were incredibly helpful, answering all of my questions and putting my mind at ease throughout the process. In the end, we were able to get everything dismissed successfully. Although in the grand scheme, my case was a relatively minor one, Rob always was there to help and it was clear that his knowledge and experience would be hard to find anywhere else. I would absolutely recommend Rob and his team to anyone looking for a defense attorney.- SA
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"Appreciative of Your Kindness"I feel very blessed and appreciative for your kindness.- Audrey
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"The Only Choice for the Best Results"The case came during my senior year of college. It was the scariest moment of my entire life. I felt my career was over before it even started. I chose McKinney Law Firm because they are the Best of the Best. To have a prepared and knowledgeable defense, in a room where you feel guilty until proven innocent, is invaluable. Roger T. May's no non-sense approach was deliberate and strategic. The results of the case were better than I could have ever imagined. After the case was over, I went on to land a lucrative job, travel the world, and have had a very successful career. I truly believe McKinney Law Firm gave me a second chance at life. I am forever grateful for the team's care, urgency, persistence, and professionalism during a very difficult time. "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." Thank you.- -Satisfied Client
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""Do yourself a favor, make Rob your flavor.""I was visiting friends in Nashville and sightseeing around the Titan stadium when about 8 officers drew their weapons on me from a good 100+ feet away, demanding that I freeze and put my hands in the air. My first response was to pull out my knife while i tried to gain focus on who and why this was happening. Is this a joke? Am i being robbed possibly? That was the thoughts racing through my mind. Apparently, someone had called and said someone with a backpack threatened to blow up the stadium, WOW! I understand these officers were doing their job but after they searched me and found I was innocent they still charged me with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and a few others for good measure. My lawyer Rob Mckinney knew i was being honest and meant no one harm, but I was really scared that it may turn out very differently due to the circumstances. He not only got my charges dismissed but my record expunged as well. I'm forever grateful and would recommend this legal team for anyone in need of a most stellar lawyer. Thanks again Rob and the rest of the team.- Eric A
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"Truly Grateful"There are precious times in our lives when we are blessed with people who make a difference.- Nathan
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"Complete Confidence"Little words cannot express the gratitude we have for you! From the very first day we walked into your office, we had complete confidence in you and your staff.- Jack & Jessi
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""Best Lawyer In the world will not quit .""Best lawyer have known will not quit will fight all the way!- Marvin Johnson
