[from occupied ga]

All a person has to do is show the money was legitimately obtained, even if it is gambling winnings there is a receipt, and the government returns the money with interest.

In case you didn't grow up in the USA, and from your comment I suspect you didn't, in this country the burden of proof for illegal activity is on the government. The accused doesn't have to prove innocence, the government has to prove guilt. Asset forfiture reverses that presumption of innocence putting the burden of proof on the accused.

Further it is logically impossible to prove a negative ie that you didn't do something, because by definition you can't prove a lack of something. Which is why you should NEVER talk to police

[Yogafist]

That is true about presumed innocence in a criminal prosecution, but these are civil forfeitures. And forfeiture has been a part of this country’s legal system since its beginning.