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Despite all the *ahem* learned opinions voiced, you do indeed have the right to your PC back -- but only after it is no longer deemed to be evidence in the case, meaning after all cases are done. That could be a while, considering how quickly the justice system works...... You'll have to consult a lawyer (and quickly) to figure out how to best defend yourself, and make sure you don't get screwed over in the process. Odds are you won't get anything too serious, but I'd think you'll be doing some community service time.
Good luck! >>
Not entirely true...
Some jurisdictions have forfeiture statutes that allow the police to gain possession of property used in the comission of a crime(Of course it depends on the crime, mostly drugs, but sometimes can include counterfeiting, forgery). It really depends on the jurisdiction. It also usually involves a civil lawsuit where the gvt's burden of proof is to prove that probable cause exists that the property in question was used in a crime.. They dont have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt under civil forfeiture statutes. Dont believe me? Do a search on Google under "law enforcement forfeiture" --
How do you think police drive those fancy vehicles in sting operations or buy the latest and greatest weapons and computers? So you can kiss your computer, monitor and stuff goodbye... It will be used by the Pennylsvania Cybercrime taskforce...
On another note, Hmm, normally in most jurisdictions the police can only come to your house and take your computer if (1) you gave consent or (2) they had a search warrant. Which was it?
When your system was seized, usually it would be sent to a "Cybercrime task force" a place where law enforcement in a given community pool their resources to split the cost of maintaining support personel who understand computers (i.e., BS Comp. Sci., MIS, PH.D. type people--scientists like in THE ROCK.. but deal only with computers)... The lab location is probably in the local FBI office. Most likey, your computer's harddrives will be mirrored bit by bit and archived to a CDR... This isnt done by a windows programs so every bit is captured---
Link to article on govt forfeiture