What is a 'forfeiture complaint' in civil proceedings?

• A. The pleading filed by the government to commence a civil forfeiture action, asserting the property is forfeitable.
• B. The notice to the owner of seizure.
• C. The final judgment of forfeiture.
• D. The appeal filed by the owner challenging the seizure.

Answer: (A)

A forfeiture complaint is the government’s initial civil pleading to start a forfeiture case, asserting that the property itself is forfeitable under the law. It lays out the facts linking the property to wrongdoing, cites the applicable forfeiture statutes, and requests that the court order the property forfeited to the government. This document begins the action and is served on potential claimants so they can respond. It isn’t merely a notice to the owner, nor is it the final judgment or an appeal—those come later in the process.