Tag: civil asset forfeiture
Tag: civil asset forfeiture
-
States Seize on Improvement of Asset Forfeiture Laws
As 2019 progresses, many states continue their efforts to change their asset forfeiture laws. Asset forfeiture is the permanent taking of private property by government agencies at the local, state,…
-
Asset Forfeiture Transparency Improves Government Accountability in Alabama and Everywhere
Over 100 years ago, United States Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously wrote, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” Alabama’s new Civil Asset Forfeiture Database will provide…
-
The Latest Trends of Asset Forfeiture Transparency and Juvenile Justice
This State Factor examines trends across the states in Civil Asset Forfeiture reform, as well as in juvenile justice for the latest legislative sessions. It also examines the driving policy ideas…
-
Connecticut Continues to Seek Improvements to its Asset Forfeiture Process
Last year, Connecticut joined a growing list of states that have passed civil asset forfeiture laws to make it more difficult for government agencies to take property from its…
-
Illinois Becomes Latest State to Reform Civil Forfeiture
The trend of states reforming their civil asset forfeiture process has continued. This week, Governor Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 303 (HB 303), which…
-
Mississippi Begins to Examine Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Civil asset forfeiture reform has caught the attention of lawmakers in the Magnolia State. This past legislative session, Mississippi passed a law that established the Civil Asset Forfeiture Task…
-
New Hampshire Becomes Latest State to Overhaul Civil Asset Forfeiture Process
New Hampshire recently joined a growing number of states that have reformed their civil asset forfeiture laws in 2016. These reforms no longer allow government agencies to seize and keep one’s property…
-
New Developments in Civil Asset Forfeiture in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has recently purchased technology from the Electronic Recovery and Access to Data Group Inc. (ERAD) allowing law enforcement to freeze and seize funds loaded…
-
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Signs Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill
On May 19, 2016, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed Senate Bill 161 (S.B. 161), which was introduced by state Senator Michael Hough. It contains several provisions of the ALEC…
-
Transparency Critical to Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Civil asset forfeiture abuses in various states throughout the country are well-documented. There are several instances where individuals have seen their property seized by the state or federal government, despite…
-
Virginia General Assembly Unanimously Passes Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
On March 10, 2016, the Virginia House of Delegates unanimously voted to reform a certain aspect of their civil asset forfeiture system by passing SB 457. The bill changes the…
-
Institute for Justice Report Highlights Civil Asset Forfeiture Abuses
According to a recently released report by the Institute for Justice, law enforcement agencies across the country have seized $29 billion in assets via civil forfeiture in the past…
-
Asset Forfeiture Reforms Happening in the States
A number of states, including, Montana, New Mexico and Nevada, recently passed reforms to their civil asset forfeiture laws. Civil asset forfeiture starts with the seizure of property by police that is…
-
Civil Forfeiture Assumes Guilt
This appeared in The Baltimore Sun March 20, 2015. In August 2012, law enforcement stopped Mandrel Stuart, the owner of a small barbecue restaurant…
-
The Reporting of Seizure and Forfeiture Act
Model Policy {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Purpose.} Under state and federal forfeiture laws, state law enforcement agencies can seize money, vehicles, and other property, have them sold and…
-
Asset Forfeiture Process and Private Property Protection Act
Model Policy Section 1. {Title} This act may be cited as the “Asset Forfeiture Process and Private Property Protection Act” Section 2. {Definitions} As used in this Act: (A) “Abandoned property”…