confiscar

Confiscar is a verb used in Portuguese and Spanish that means to take away property or assets by authority, usually as a sanction, enforcement of a law, or measure to prevent illicit activity. In English, the corresponding term is confiscate. The act can involve goods, money, vehicles, real estate, or other forms of property.

Confiscation can occur through different legal mechanisms. It may be administrative, where an agency seizes items for regulatory violations or noncompliance with customs, taxation, or safety rules. It can also be judicial, resulting from a court order after process or criminal proceedings. In some systems, confiscation can be permanent, while in others there may be temporary seizures or provisional measures during investigations.

Two related concepts are confiscation and forfeiture. Confiscation emphasizes the seizure of property as a penalty or compliance tool, whereas forfeiture refers to the transfer of ownership to the state, which may be civil or criminal and can occur without a criminal conviction in some jurisdictions. Asset recovery efforts, including civil forfeiture, are often used to seize illicit proceeds or goods connected to crime, sometimes drawing scrutiny over due process and proportionality.

Rights and safeguards vary by jurisdiction. Typically, affected parties have notice and an opportunity to challenge the seizure, and some systems provide compensation or restitution if the confiscation is later found unwarranted. The precise procedures, standards, and remedies depend on national or regional law.