Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 28 : Section 1355


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1355. Fine, penalty or forfeiture

      (a) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction,
    exclusive of the courts of the States, of any action or proceeding
    for the recovery or enforcement of any fine, penalty, or
    forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, incurred under any Act of
    Congress, except matters within the jurisdiction of the Court of
    International Trade under section 1582 of this title.
      (b)(1) A forfeiture action or proceeding may be brought in - 
        (A) the district court for the district in which any of the
      acts or omissions giving rise to the forfeiture occurred, or
        (B) any other district where venue for the forfeiture action or
      proceeding is specifically provided for in section 1395 of this
      title or any other statute.

      (2) Whenever property subject to forfeiture under the laws of the
    United States is located in a foreign country, or has been detained
    or seized pursuant to legal process or competent authority of a
    foreign government, an action or proceeding for forfeiture may be
    brought as provided in paragraph (1), or in the United States
    District court (!1) for the District of Columbia.

      (c) In any case in which a final order disposing of property in a
    civil forfeiture action or proceeding is appealed, removal of the
    property by the prevailing party shall not deprive the court of
    jurisdiction. Upon motion of the appealing party, the district
    court or the court of appeals shall issue any order necessary to
    preserve the right of the appealing party to the full value of the
    property at issue, including a stay of the judgment of the district
    court pending appeal or requiring the prevailing party to post an
    appeal bond.
      (d) Any court with jurisdiction over a forfeiture action pursuant
    to subsection (b) may issue and cause to be served in any other
    district such process as may be required to bring before the court
    the property that is the subject of the forfeiture action.



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