Which option describes asset forfeiture?

• A. Criminal forfeiture
• B. Civil forfeiture
• C. Administrative forfeiture
• D. Equitable forfeiture

Answer: (B)

Asset forfeiture refers to the government’s power to seize property tied to crime or the proceeds of crime. The common description of asset forfeiture is civil forfeiture, because it operates in civil court and targets the property itself rather than punishing the owner as a criminal. In a civil forfeiture proceeding, the state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is linked to illegal activity, and the owner need not be charged or convicted. This differs from criminal forfeiture, which follows a criminal conviction and is part of the criminal case. Administrative forfeiture involves seizure with minimal judicial oversight, bypassing a full court process. Equitable forfeiture is a broader remedial concept not the typical mechanism used to seize assets. Therefore, asset forfeiture is best described as civil forfeiture.