PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3723)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 9, 2016
DUE PROCESS Act of 2016 or the Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016
This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to federal civil forfeiture cases. Specifically, the bill:
raises the evidentiary standard in such cases from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence";
with respect to property owners who are indigent, provides for the appointment of counsel;
provides for recovery of attorney's fees with respect to settled claims in which the claimant prevails;
adds notice requirements; and
expedites and otherwise modifies certain procedures.
The Department of Justice must: (1) annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases, and (2) establish a publicly available database with respect to seizures in such cases.
People & committees
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3723)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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