# Justice Manual § 9-116.170: United States Attorney Recommendation For Adoption of Seizure

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.170

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-116.170
- **Heading:** United States Attorney Recommendation For Adoption of Seizure
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-116.000 - Equitable Sharing And Federal Adoption / Justice Manual § 9-116.170

## Text

A United States Attorney may recommend in writing that a federal law enforcement agency adopt a particular state or local seizure or category of seizures for federal forfeiture. If the federal agency declines to adopt the seizure but has no objection to the direct adoption of the seizure by the United States Attorney for judicial forfeiture under federal law, the United States Attorney may adopt the seizure and pursue the forfeiture civilly or criminally. On the other hand, if the federal agency declines to adopt the seizure and believes that it should not be adopted for federal forfeiture and the United States Attorney disagrees, the United States Attorney may refer the matter to the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF). After consulting with the headquarters office of the seizing agency, MNF may authorize direct adoption of the seizure or category of seizures by the United States Attorney where a compelling law enforcement purpose justifies such action.
See
Chapter 1 of the Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual.

[updated January 2026] [cited in
JM 9-2.400
;
9-119.102
]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-116.100 General Equitable Sharing Policies and Procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.110 Federal Adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.120 Federal Law Enforcement Agency Review of Adoption Requests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.120.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.150 Judicial Review Favored](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.160 30-Day Rule for Presentation for Federal Adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.160.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.170 United States Attorney Recommendation For Adoption of Seizure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.170.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.190 Retention of Custody by State or Local Agency](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.190.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.195 Use of Anticipatory Seizure Warrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.195.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.210 Equitable Sharing Decisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.210.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.310 Equitable Sharing Payments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.310.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.312 Role of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.312.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.400 International Sharing of Forfeited Assets](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.500 Transfer of Forfeited Real Property Pursuant to Weed and Seed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-116.530 Mortgages and Ownership Interests in Weed and Seed Transferred Real Property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.530.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-116.170. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.