Bill > H1615

This bill establishes a right to counsel in civil asset forfeiture cases. It amends a section of Massachusetts law to require the assignment of either public or private counsel by the chief counsel of the committee for public counsel services when a natural person files a claim to property that has been seized by the government. The bill also directs that any funds recovered through asset forfeiture proceedings be used to pay for the assigned counsel, as well as counsel appointed to represent parties in summary process (eviction) proceedings.