Asset Forfeiture Database – May 2013

While I am not licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction and therefore cannot represent you, I will use my education and experience to explain the process to you and assist to answer administrative-type questions. I would be happy to speak with your attorney and offer my expertise.

Get your car and cash back!

Posted on 9 January, 2013 by David Gettler

Forfeiture victim? Assets Seized? - Call 855-877-0931 or E-mail now!

Free, confidential consultation!

Follow @AssetForfeiture on Twitter! Like our Facebook Page!

Challenge at Seizure stage BEFORE it is forfeited!

Did you or someone you know have cash, cars, or other valuables seized by the government? If so, you’re not alone. Luckily, we’re here to help.

If you had assets seized by the FBI, IRS, Postal Inspectors, DEA, ATF, CBP (Customs and Border Protection), ICE, Secret Service, TEOAF, State or local police, or a task force, we know what you’re going through. Confession: We used to work on the other side. That means that we know exactly what the government is required to do in order to keep your seized property (through forfeiture).

Often, the government will merely send you a notice that property was seized and little other information. If they bother to explain your rights, we’ve seen numerous examples of the government giving blatantly incorrect legal instructions and the government never provides the interested party with more than a sentence or two describing the seizure.

Your have the RIGHT to KNOW WHO seized YOUR property, WHEN they did so, if they had a WARRANT, what AGENCIES were involved, and WHAT LEGAL REASONING was used that makes the government believe they can FORFEIT YOUR PROPERTY!

The Asset Forfeiture experts at have years of experience GETTING YOUR PROPERTY BACK!

If your cash, car or property was seized by local, state or federal officials, you HAVE TO ACT FAST!

Call or E-mail Dave toll-free 855-877-0931 for a free, confidential consultation

While I am not licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction and therefore cannot represent you, I will use my education and experience to explain the process to you and assist to answer administrative-type questions. I would be happy to speak with your attorney and offer my expertise.

Asset Forfeiture Specialists – Information regarding Petitions and Claims

What is a Petition for Remission or Mitigation?

A Petition for Remission or Mitigation is a form that you submit to the government after property has been seized where you DO NOT CONTEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT had a right to seize the property in question; however, you believe that the property (or part of it) should be returned to you for one of several reasons: You are an innocent victim of the fraud, a lienholder, or one of several other reasons.

MYTH: Admitting that the government had a right to seize the property is always a bad idea.

NOT TRUE! This is where the difference between seize and forfeit come into play. If a person stole your credit card number and bought a lot of stuff, the government (assuming it followed all laws and procedures) had a RIGHT to seize that property – you are an innocent victim. In this case, you agree that the government had a right to seize the property from that person, and your petition for remission or mitigation is the proper way to “ask for your property.”

Here is a sample PETITION form from US Customs And Border Patrol

What is a Claim?

A claim takes the seizure out of the administrative phase and into the courts. A claim, unlike a petition, means that you do not agree that the government had a right to seize the property.

Here is a sample CLAIM form from US Customs and Border Patrol

Should I file a petition, a claim, or both?

While I have seen agencies direct people to file both a petition and a claim, they are mutually exclusive. A petition, as described above, means that you believe the government had a right to seize the property in question; a claim, by contrast, means that you do not believe the government had this right.

Call or E-mail Dave at 855-877-0931 for a FREE CONSULTATION

While I am not licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction and therefore cannot represent you, I will use my education and experience to explain the process to you and assist to answer administrative-type questions. I would be happy to speak with your attorney and offer my expertise.

Follow @AssetForfeiture on Twitter! Like our Facebook Page!

Call or E-mail Dave at 855-877-0931 for a FREE CONSULTATION

VIDEO RESUMES – VIRTUAL NECESSITY

Posted on 26 June, 2012 by David Gettler

In this tough job market, you need to STAND OUT with a VIDEO RESUME!

- ADD UP TO TWO YOU TUBE VIDEOS!! If you want to STAND OUT, this is what you need to add! Everyone has a webcam – if not, I highly suggest the Logitech C920 – take a minute to introduce yourself!

- Add up to 5 work samples

- Connect your Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus, and Twitter accounts

- Paste your resume so everything appears in the correct place

George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program

Posted on 2 June, 2012 by Raymond Franklin, Jr.

Recently, Virtual Paralegal (VPL) spoke with Shiromi Praba of George Washington University for some comprehensive insight concerning their Master of Paralegal Studies Program. In our conversation, Ms. Praba was able to render an overview about the main features of their program.

It is the goal of GWU’s paralegal program to prepare students entering the paralegal profession through rigorous coursework. Courses are instructed by experienced attorneys that teach using a balance of philosophical study and practical application of law. In order to accommodate busy schedules, GWU’s program utilizes a combination of traditional classroom teaching and modern online instruction. Also, the program is intertwined with George Washington’s Law School, giving enrolled students access to seminars, workshops, clinics, and legal research at the Burns Law Library.

There are two paths of enrollment into GWU’s paralegal program. The first offers students a chance to enroll in an 8-month graduate certificate program. Students in the 8-month program must complete at total of 18 credit hours; including 12-core credit hours. They also offer a 15-month master’s degree program in which students must complete a requisite of 32 credit hours for completion. There also is an Advanced Standing Request, which allows students who already have paralegal certifications to forgo the 12-core credit hours; earning the master’s in only 12-months. The 8-month and 15-month programs are based on a schedule of only two evenings per week; making it convenient for working professionals.

GWU’s enrollment prerequisites include: a Bachelor Degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or better, a statement of purpose (250-500 words), 2 letters of Recommendation, resume, and official sealed transcripts from previous schools.

VPL learned that George Washington is one of the most prestigious universities for producing legal professionals. The university as a whole is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The paralegal program has earned membership into several organizations including the American Association for Paralegal Education, The International Paralegal Management and Lambda Epsilon Chi National Paralegal Honor Society.

The information below was provided about the program’s fees along with website links for further assistance.

APPLICATION FEE: $75
REGISTRATION FEE: $35
TUITION FEES: $816 PER CREDIT
TECHNOLOGY FEE $25
BOOK FEE: $100-$150 PER COURSE
OVERALL PROGRAM COST: $26,144

http://www.onlinegwu.com/repository Program Repository
http://www.gwu.edu/index.cfm The George Washington University

Other paralegal education programs interested in telling us about your curriculum please contact Virtual Paralegal via e-mail at ray@virtualparalegal.com

Create your own job!

Posted on 26 May, 2012 by David Gettler

I am thrilled by the responses I have received from well-qualified paralegals interested in an internship and hope to choose at least two (and up to four) PAID interns by early June.

While all the resumes and writing samples I received are critical, I wanted to try something new (as VirtualParalegal.com always does – from our Interactive Resumes to our ability to provide an expert paralegal on just about every subject on an as-needed to basis).

The newest idea is for you to submit YOUR OWN JOB PROPOSAL – sort of a “reverse resume” – here are a few examples:

Current paralegal student available to provide first-hand information on my program, interview my professors and admissions staff and provide advice to prospective students;

Expert with WordPress, interested in making VirtualParalegal.com’s website a lot better, not that it’s not awesome already;

Person who knows the difference between “there, they’re and their” interested in writing regular blawg posts on current cases that may or may not be on the news. Rather than repeating what CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC and their talking heads say, I will offer information that these *&(&S(S don’t mention. Perhaps I will provide a link to the actual text of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” – right here.

Please send your job proposals in addition to your resume and writing samples to THIS LINK ONLY

PAID INTERNSHIPS!

Posted on 24 May, 2012 by David Gettler

To those of you who already sent me a resume, I am reviewing them now!

For others, time is running out to send me a resume and writing sample (or two) to dave@virtualparalegal.com.

Interns will be paid $300-$600 working minimal hours on exciting projects.

Turn a paralegal resume into a VIRTUAL PARALEGAL resume

Posted on 10 April, 2012 by David Gettler

A lot of great resumes have been posted at VirtualParalegal.com – I have one suggestion: Change your resume into one for a Virtual Paralegal! There are small but important differences. For instance, do you have just have experience in certain software or do you have it on your computer? Do you have a secure network connection? Do you own a shredder?

This list is not exhaustive by any means, and I strongly encourage everyone to take full advantage of the Interactive Resume system – if you haven’t posted a few, if not 5, work samples, then do you really expect to stand out?

And PLEASE write a blawg entry! Even if it repeats your resume, it gets you noticed by the search engines and potential employers. Virtual Paralegals are expected to have a superb grasp of technology – prove it!