What does "civil forfeiture" entail under Missouri law?

The concept of "civil forfeiture" under Missouri law involves the seizure of property that law enforcement believes is linked to criminal activity, rather than requiring a prior criminal conviction. This legal process is grounded in the idea that the property itself is an instrument or a product of crime, and it allows for the government to take ownership of the property even if the owner is not convicted of a crime.

In civil forfeiture cases, the burden of proof is often lower than in criminal cases; authorities typically need to demonstrate a preponderance of evidence showing that the property is connected to illegal activity. This is distinct from criminal forfeiture, which does require a conviction.

This mechanism serves as a way to deter criminal behavior and to disrupt illegal enterprises, enabling law enforcement to act on properties believed to facilitate or result from crime. Thus, the correct option accurately reflects the broader scope of civil forfeiture in Missouri law.