Houston Civil Asset Forfeiture and Criminal Defense Lawyers

Amanda Skillern grew up in the Houston area and graduated valedictorian of her high school class. After being invited to attend the Honors College at the University of Houston, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, along with a minor in both Spanish and Psychology. After her graduation, cum laude, from the Bauer College of Business, Ms. Skillern attended South Texas College of Law. She completed law school and passed the Texas bar exam in 2006, shortly before beginning her legal career as a prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

During Ms. Skillern’s eleven + years as an Assistant District Attorney, she handled every type of criminal case, from Class C Assault to Murder, in every type of court, from Justice of the Peace to felony District Court and civil District Court. While assigned to the Asset Forfeiture Division of the District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Skillern was responsible for cases involving hundreds of thousands of dollars and high value property believed to be contraband. She was also involved in the initiation, development and conclusion of numerous complex criminal investigations involving multi-tiered organizations and data intensive financial transactions.

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5.0

“ Amanda is truly the best in the game. Her communication skills are exactly what you are looking for when dealing with something like this. Always kept me updated the whole process and was easy to communicate with. She stood behind me and fought for me. I highly recommend her to anyone dealing with asset forfeiture. Thanks again Amanda ”

CodyZL1

5.0

“ It was a pleasure working with Amanda. She is highly professional and definitely the best in the business. My car got seized and I had been through a number of other lawyers who weren't able to retrieve the car back. I had pretty much given up hope. A friend introduced me to Amanda and from the first day we spoke she was open, honest and transparent...”

Olufunso O

5.0

“ Amanda provides a compassionate approach with her clients. Having worked on both sides of the issue, as a district attorney and now as a defender, she is able to navigate the legal rhetoric and red tape to achieve results for her clients. Honestly, I can't imagine we could have had better representation had we gone another route... ”

J George

5.0

“ I was in a deep hole and afraid of moving forward with my life because of my charges. When I presented to court I thought to myself I am doomed, but then I was blessed with Amanda to represent me. She immediately took information from my case and made sense of everything. She guaranteed me a dismissal and succeeded!... ”

Cristi S

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Protecting Your Property. Defending Your Freedom.

The United States and Texas criminal codes are in place to prevent anyone from profiting from the victimization and exploitation of others. Both state and federal law allow the seizure of assets if evidence suggests that they were illegally obtained but, unfortunately, these laws don’t always serve their intended purpose. While they may aim to prevent criminals from enjoying ill-gotten gains, they often cause major problems for ordinary people.

People like you.

At the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC, we understand how distressing it can be to face criminal charges or have your property unjustly seized. Before opening her criminal defense firm, Amanda gained invaluable experience handling both civil asset forfeiture and criminal cases as an Assistant District Attorney. This unique background gives her a profound understanding of both sides of the criminal justice system, which she uses to vigorously defend her clients.

If you are facing civil asset forfeiture or criminal charges in Houston, don’t hesitate to seek help. Contact the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC, at 346-291-0432 to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help.

Local Knowledge

Amanda Skillern grew up in the Greater Houston area and is thoroughly familiar with the local court system as well as state and federal criminal law. Whenever possible, she draws on these experiences to improve client outcomes.

Former Assistant D.A.

With over eleven years as an Assistant District Attorney handling a wide range of criminal cases, Amanda has the experience to manage even the most challenging legal questions and situations.

Extensive Experience in Asset Forfeiture

As a former member of the Asset Forfeiture Division of the District Attorney’s Office, Amanda Skillern has the skills and insights needed for cases involving the seizure of high-value property and large sums of money.

Proven Record

Having handled thousands of cases and tried over thirty jury or bench trials, Amanda’s extensive courtroom experience speaks to her capability and effectiveness as a litigator.

Broad Case Management

From minor misdemeanors to serious felonies, Amanda has managed cases at every level of the justice system. This background provides her with a well-rounded perspective on criminal defense.

Choosing the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC means selecting a legal team that combines local knowledge, extensive experience, and a deep commitment to advocating for your rights. Contact us today at (346) 291-0432 to discuss how we can assist you with your case.

Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agencies to seize property they believe has been involved in criminal activity. Governed by Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, it gives police the authority to take assets they believe are contraband or connected to a crime. Importantly, authorities can seize property without filing formal charges against the owner.

If your property was seized by local or state police, the department must submit paperwork to the District Attorney’s Office, usually where the property was taken. The District Attorney then decides whether to file a lawsuit to keep the property permanently. This type of action, known as a forfeiture lawsuit, is filed by the state against the property itself, not against you as the owner.

The state must notify you of the lawsuit and provide the opportunity to seek the return of your seized property. If you do not respond to the notice, your property can be automatically forfeited to the state through a default judgment.
Challenging the state’s lawsuit can be difficult, but a civil asset forfeiture lawyer can review your case and identify potential defense strategies based on the circumstances. Depending on the circumstances, these defenses may include:

The Innocent Owner Defense

You must show that you had no prior knowledge of the criminal activity and no reasonable way of knowing about it at the time of acquisition. If the property was obtained after the crime, you need to demonstrate that you purchased it for value and had no reason to believe it was contraband. However, this defense is not valid if you deliberately avoided learning about the property’s criminal connections.

Family Violence

If you were a victim of family violence and couldn’t prevent the crime that led to the seizure of your property, you may be able to use the family violence defense. It acknowledges the difficult circumstances and aims to protect those who have already suffered from further injustice.

Dismissed Criminal Charges

Although assets can be seized without a conviction or criminal charges, the dismissal of related charges can be helpful in challenging the seizure. For instance, if you were charged with a drug offense, your property was seized because of suspected involvement, and those charges were later dropped, the basis for the seizure can be called into question.

At the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC, we fight for the rights of those facing criminal charges in the Greater Houston area. Below is an overview of some of the cases we handle.

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves placing, transferring, or integrating illegally obtained funds in a way that makes them appear legitimate. It is often associated with other criminal charges, such as prostitution or drug trafficking, which is why the authorities aggressively pursue convictions. If you are facing money laundering charges in Houston, our experienced defense team is here to help.
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Organized Crime

Organized crime charges can arise if police believe that three or more people have worked together to commit crimes such as money laundering, drug distribution, or selling stolen merchandise. If you face these charges, our knowledgeable defense team can provide the support and legal representation you need.
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White Collar Crime

We defend clients charged with white-collar crime offenses like fraud, insider trading, and embezzlement. As a former Assistant District Attorney, Amanda Skillern knows how prosecutors pursue these charges and will use this knowledge to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
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Gambling Offenses

Texas heavily regulates gambling, with most types prohibited under Chapter 47 of the Texas Penal Code. With this offense, state and federal charges are both possible. Our firm provides an assertive defense against charges like possession of gambling devices, running gambling operations, and promoting gambling.

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses encompass a wide range of charges, including possession of a controlled substance with the intention to sell, manufacture, or distribute. At the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC, we have successfully defended clients accused of various drug crimes and know how to present a compelling defense.
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Violent Crime

Violent crime charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies. If you are charged with offenses like assault, aggravated assault or murder, our Houston criminal defense attorneys will evaluate your case, help develop a strong defense strategy, and represent you through each step of the legal process to ensure you are treated fairly.

Weapons Charges

Although Texas weapons laws are relatively lax compared to most other states, there are still some serious weapons offenses that carry severe penalties. If you have been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, or other weapons-related offense, our firm is prepared to help you build a strong defense.
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If you or someone you know is facing civil asset forfeiture or criminal charges in the Greater Houston area, the Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC is here to provide the skilled legal representation you deserve. With years of experience in civil asset forfeiture and criminal defense, Amanda Skillern is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for your best interests. While every case is different, the goal is always the same: obtain a dismissal or reduction.

Contact our firm today at 346-291-0432 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Your Criminal Defense and Asset Forfeiture Attorney

Amanda Skillern, PLLC

What We Offer

Currency Forfeiture

Gambling

client testimonials