What does "forfeiture" mean in legal terms?

Forfeiture refers to the legal process by which an individual loses their property or money because of a violation of law or breach of contract terms. This concept is rooted in the idea that assets can be confiscated if they are involved in or derived from illegal activities, or if the owner fails to comply with legal obligations. For example, if a property is used in connection with drug trafficking, law enforcement may seize it through forfeiture proceedings, emphasizing the legal system's aim to deter and punish unlawful conduct.

In contrast, the other options address different legal concepts that do not accurately capture the essence of forfeiture. For instance, traffic penalties are separate from property law, while rewards for cooperating with law enforcement pertain to incentivizing whistleblower actions rather than the loss of assets. Lastly, the procedure for reclaiming lost property involves different legal mechanisms, highlighting that forfeiture specifically deals with the involuntary loss of property due to wrongdoing, making option A the most accurate definition of forfeiture in legal terms.