Criminal Asset Forfeiture Act

The bill replaces existing statutes on public abatement and instead enacts provisions concerning criminal forfeiture. The bill: Limits forfeiture so it can occur only when a defendant is convicted of a crime of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or selling a controlled substance; Specifies that a forfeiture proceeding is not a separate civil proceeding but part of a defendant's criminal proceeding; Specifies when personal property may be seized with or without process; Establishes duties and procedures when property is seized; Establishes court procedures for various parties; Allows for the disposition of seized assets and proceeds consistent with prior law; and Establishes limitations on seizures involving the federal government.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)