I have had a car seized from me without even being arrested or charged with a crime. The complete lack of due process is the problem, not seizure from people who have actually been tried and found guilty of a suitable offense. I don't think most people would complain about assets being seized from bonfide drug lords or the guy down the street with fancy rims and gold chains.
I am not clear, but I suspect laws existed to confiscate ill gotten gains from convicted criminals before this forfeiture began in the 80s. RICO perhaps?
Regardless of inspiration or intention, this process is highly flawed and it's far past time to end seizures from people who have not even been charged with a crime.
The second major issue is distributing the money to individual police officers. This combined with the lack of due process creates far too much incentive and ability for crooked police officers to seize funds motivated by their own self interest.
I am not clear, but I suspect laws existed to confiscate ill gotten gains from convicted criminals before this forfeiture began in the 80s. RICO perhaps?
Regardless of inspiration or intention, this process is highly flawed and it's far past time to end seizures from people who have not even been charged with a crime.
The second major issue is distributing the money to individual police officers. This combined with the lack of due process creates far too much incentive and ability for crooked police officers to seize funds motivated by their own self interest.