Criminal seizure of assets in Romanian procedure

Criminal seizure of assets

Articles 249-256 of the Romanian Code of Criminal Procedure govern criminal seizure, a precautionary measure that freezes the assets of a suspect, defendant or civilly liable party in order to secure damages, judicial costs, fines or confiscation. Unlike civil precautionary seizure, it is ordered without bond by the prosecutor (during investigation) or the court (during trial), and applied by police or bailiff. The seizure can target movable goods, real estate, bank accounts, shares and claims, but not inalienable goods or those needed for daily living. It is recorded in the Land Registry for real estate and notified to banks for accounts. The measure can be challenged before the hierarchical superior, the rights and liberties judge or the trial court. After conviction with confiscation, the assets pass to the state; on acquittal they are returned.