Asset Forfeiture Defense Attorney in Houston

The federal and state governments can seize your property — cash, vehicles, real estate, and bank accounts — without ever convicting you of a crime. Asset forfeiture is one of the most aggressive tools prosecutors use, and fighting back requires an attorney who knows how the process works and how to win.

Brent Chapell represents individuals and businesses facing civil and criminal asset forfeiture proceedings in federal and Texas state courts. He works to protect your property rights and challenge seizures that are unlawful or disproportionate.

  • Board Certified

    Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

  • Former Appellate Chief

    Chief of the Appellate Division, Montgomery County DA's Office — 200+ criminal appeals and habeas writs

  • Former Federal Prosecutor

    Appellate Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, S.D. Texas — 80+ Fifth Circuit appeals and writs

  • Court Admissions

    State Bar of Texas · U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas · Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals · U.S. Supreme Court

Houston Asset Forfeiture Defense

The government can seize your cash, real estate, vehicles, and bank accounts — sometimes without ever filing criminal charges. Civil asset forfeiture allows federal and state agencies to take property they allege is connected to criminal activity, and it can happen fast. Once seized, getting property back requires navigating an aggressive, complex legal process.

Chapell Law fights forfeiture cases in federal and Texas state courts. Whether the seizure arises from a drug investigation, a fraud case, a tax matter, or an unexplained cash seizure at the airport, we work to recover what was taken — and challenge the government's legal basis for taking it.

Forfeiture Cases We Handle

✓ Federal civil asset forfeiture
✓ Texas civil asset forfeiture
✓ Criminal forfeiture defense
✓ Cash seizures (DEA, Customs, TSA)
✓ Real property forfeiture
✓ Business account seizure
✓ Vehicle forfeiture
✓ Cryptocurrency & digital asset seizure
✓ Drug proceeds forfeiture
✓ Fraud-related forfeiture
✓ Innocent owner claims
✓ Expedited release motions

Time Limits Are Critical

Federal forfeiture law imposes strict deadlines. After a federal seizure, you typically have only 35 days to file a claim — or longer in some cases but never unlimited. Miss that window and you lose your right to contest the forfeiture in court. Texas law has its own deadlines under Chapter 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Even if you were not charged with a crime — or if the criminal case was dismissed — the forfeiture proceeds on its own track. You need counsel who understands both the criminal and civil sides.

Why Chapell Law

Federal & State Court Experience

Former Prosecutor
Understands how forfeiture is used as a tool by federal and state agencies
Federal & State
Handles forfeitures in both federal court and Texas state court
Board Certified
Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Appellate Law
Deadline-Driven
Moves immediately — forfeiture deadlines are unforgiving
If your property has been seized, you may have as little as 35 days to act. Contact Chapell Law now.
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Chapell Law · Houston Criminal Defense

Your Property Was Seized. We Can Help.

Forfeiture deadlines are unforgiving — you may have as little as 35 days to file a claim. Contact Chapell Law today for immediate help.