I’m always heartened to see another local news team start digging into asset forfeiture. Especially the ones that don’t sugarcoat the findings with headlines that read like they were cr…
If, BIG IF, forfeiture is allowed, it should only be court ordered after a conviction, and recovered funds should not go to anyone related to the seizure, or ordering of forfeiture, as well as no metrics of such forfeiture contributing to any potential bonus, benefit, or payout for ‘a job well done’.
For sure, police should not be allowed to make that call.
An inanimate objects should not be able to be named as accessories to crime, the owner of the inanimate object should get due process, and in reality, it should be more of an order to investigate, and access given within reason (like a warrant would do), not forfeiture.
I would prefer to throw that baby out with the bathwater.
Given how corrupt this is now it seems wiser that this just not be a thing at all. I see your point, but I believe it will encourage backsliding to the insanity we have now.
I don’t know how or why asset forfiture was ever allowed, moral, or legal but it should have been outlawed a very long time ago.
Legalized thievery is worse than actual theft. It is corrupt and morally bankrupt.
If, BIG IF, forfeiture is allowed, it should only be court ordered after a conviction, and recovered funds should not go to anyone related to the seizure, or ordering of forfeiture, as well as no metrics of such forfeiture contributing to any potential bonus, benefit, or payout for ‘a job well done’.
For sure, police should not be allowed to make that call.
Stuff like this should never happen: https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/03/us/philadelphia-drug-bust-house-seizure/index.html
An inanimate objects should not be able to be named as accessories to crime, the owner of the inanimate object should get due process, and in reality, it should be more of an order to investigate, and access given within reason (like a warrant would do), not forfeiture.
I would prefer to throw that baby out with the bathwater.
Given how corrupt this is now it seems wiser that this just not be a thing at all. I see your point, but I believe it will encourage backsliding to the insanity we have now.
Maybe in 20 years.