Konfiskata

Konfiskata is a legal measure by which the state permanently deprives a person of ownership of specified property or assets, typically ordered by a court or another competent authority. It is used mainly as a criminal-law sanction to deprive criminals of the proceeds of crime and of instruments used to commit offenses, and to deter illicit activity. In Polish law, confiscation can take several forms, including ordinary confiscation of property directly connected to a crime and extended confiscation (konfiskata rozszerzona), which allows seizure of other property tied to criminal activity even if its direct link to the offense is not proven. Preventive or protective measures may also be used to secure assets during investigations or proceedings.

The scope includes movable and immovable property, money, bank accounts, shares, and other assets that can be linked to criminal activity or to the proceeds of such activity. The procedure typically involves prosecutors and courts, with evidence gathered during investigations; decisions are subject to appeal, and enforcement is carried out by police, bailiffs, or other authorities. In addition to criminal-law confiscation, some jurisdictions apply administrative or tax-related forms of asset seizure.

Internationally, confiscation is a common instrument in combating crime, money laundering, and terrorist financing, and it is supported by international treaties and European Union directives. Debates around konfiskata focus on balancing effective crime deterrence with respect for property rights, due process, and safeguards against abuse or disproportionate impact.

See also: asset forfeiture, expropriation, penalties.