Who has standing to challenge asset forfeiture?

• A. Only the government has standing to challenge forfeiture.
• B. Owners, lienholders, lessees, or other parties with a legally cognizable interest in the seized asset.
• C. Any member of the public can challenge, regardless of interest.
• D. Only the person named on the title can challenge.

Answer: (B)

Standing to challenge asset forfeiture comes from having a legally cognizable interest in the seized property. The people who can contest are those who actually hold an interest tied to the asset—such as the owner, a lienholder with a security interest, a lessee with a leasehold, or another party with a recognized stake in the asset. The government is typically the party seeking forfeiture, not challenging it, so that option is not correct. Likewise, simply being a member of the public does not give standing unless there is a direct, legally protectable interest in the property. And restricting standing to only the person named on the title ignores other valid interests, like a bank’s lien or a tenant’s lease, which can also support a challenge.