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The Criminal Forfeiture Provisions Of The Rico And Cce Statutes: Their Application To Attorneys' Fees, Gregory Merz

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

This Note argues that the criminal forfeiture provisions of RICO and CCE should not apply to attorneys' fees legitimately paid for services rendered. Part I examines the distinction between criminal and civil forfeiture, focusing particularly on forfeiture of property transferred to third parties. Part II discusses ways in which forfeiture of attorneys' fees adversely impacts the attorney-client relationship. Part III suggests a construction of the criminal forfeiture provisions that avoids the problems presented by attorneys' fees forfeiture but maintains criminal forfeiture as a deterrent to crime.