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31. What are the possible ways my case could end?

A case could end in the following ways: 

  1. You do not file an answer to the State’s suit, the court enters a default judgment in favor of the State, and your property is forfeited;
  2. The State drops its case, dismisses its suit for the forfeiture of your property, and you get your property back;
  3. After trial, the court finds in your favor and you get your property back;
  4. After trial, the court finds in the State’s favor and your property is forfeited; or
  5. You and the State agree to settle before the case goes to trial. Generally, this means the State agrees to return all or a portion of your property to you.  

There is a sixth possibility if there is more than one owner, or more than one interest holder. If the largest part of the property is the property that was seized, and the court finds for the State, the property will be sold. After the property is sold, the person who owns the largest part of the property will get nothing, but the other owners who own the parts of the property that were not forfeited may get part of the money from the property sale.
 

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