Which entity initiates civil asset forfeiture proceedings in Texas?

• A. The owner of the property
• B. The Federal government
• C. The State or prosecutor
• D. The court clerk

Answer: (C)

In Texas, civil asset forfeiture is initiated by the state, typically through a district attorney or county attorney. This civil action is brought against the property itself, not the person, and rests in the hands of the government to prove that the property is connected to criminal activity. The property owner does not start the forfeiture filing; they can respond by contesting or filing a claim once the state initiates the case. The federal government would only initiate forfeiture in a federal context, not in a state proceeding, and a court clerk does not initiate the action—the clerk handles filing and procedural tasks after the case is started.