Michigan Police Won't Be Able to Seize People's Cars for Suspected Drug Crimes Anymore
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed three bills to limit civil asset forfeiture.
Civil Asset Forfeiture
North Dakota Makes it Harder for Police to Take Property Without a Conviction
Police had wide authority to seize assets without having to prove a crime even happened, but now the state is tightening the rules.
Alabama Police Ruined a Couple's Lives Over $50 of Weed. Now the Charges Against Them Have Been Dropped
Greg and Teresa Almond filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Randolph County Sheriff's Department after it raided their house and seized their savings for a misdemeanor pot offense.
Alabama Cops Raided Their House, Seized Their Cash, and Ruined Their Lives Over $50 of Marijuana
Greg and Teresa Almond lost their house after a financially devastating drug raid involving civil asset forfeiture.
Testimony on Asset Forfeiture Before the Arkansas State Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights
My testimony addressed the general problem of asset forfeiture, the potential impact of the Supreme Court's recent decision in Timbs v. Indiana, and Arkansas' recent reform law.
In the Space of One Minute, Joe Biden Defends the Death Penalty for Drug Dealers, Asset Forfeiture, and Mandatory Minimums
This 1991 Senate floor speech shows Biden's central role in crafting disastrous crime policies.
Manhattan D.A. Spent $250K in Asset Forfeiture Funds on Fine Dining and Luxurious Travel
The expenses included five-star Parisian hotels and sumptuous dinners.
Arkansas Legislature Effectively Votes To Abolish Civil Asset Forfeiture
Arkansas joins three other states in requiring police secure a conviction before they can seize a person's property.
Pennsylvania Prosecutor Used Asset Forfeiture Funds To Lease SUV
County officials say the Lancaster County district attorney's use of $20,000 in funds intended for drug enforcement to lease an SUV is "improper."
Michigan May Stop Police From Seizing Property Without Getting a Conviction First
Reports show Michigan police seize cash and cars from hundreds of people who are never convicted of a crime. Momentum is building to stop it.
Brett Kavanaugh Flunks His First Test as an Originalist
Unlike Thomas and Gorsuch, Kavanaugh stayed mum on originalism in a major constitutional case.
Supreme Court Rules that Excessive Fines Clause Applies to States and Constrains Civil Asset Forfeiture
The decision in Timbs v. Indiana is a significant step forward for property rights and civil liberties, though a key issue remains to be resolved by lower courts.
Supreme Court Delivers Unanimous Victory for Asset Forfeiture Challenge
The Eighth Amendment prohibition against excessive fines and fees applies to states as well, SCOTUS rules, opening a new way to challenge outlandish forfeitures.
How the Feds Are Using Civil Asset Forfeiture to Threaten Free Speech
Sex, publishing, and quasi-legal theft collide in the Backpage prosecution.
Trump Wants To Raid an Asset Forfeiture Black-Box Fund To Build His Border Wall
"Exactly what sources and what individuals this money comes from is obscure, and it's obscure because that's the way the federal government wants it."
South Carolina Lawmakers Introduce Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill After News Investigation Reveals Abuses
South Carolina would become the fourth state to abolish the practice of seizing property without a criminal conviction.
The SUV That's About To Change Asset Forfeiture Rules Nationwide
The future of civil asset forfeiture law in the United States now revolves around a single Land Rover.
South Carolina Police Hauled in $17 Million Through Civil Asset Forfeiture Over Three Years
"The robber didn't get anything, but the police got everything."
Hello, FIRST STEP Act! Goodbye, Jeff Sessions! The Year in Criminal Justice Reform
2018 was a mixed bag, but that means there was still a lot of good news.
William Barr's Never-Ending War
Trump's nominee for attorney general is apt to encourage his worst instincts on drug policy.
Should We Be Upset If the IRS Has Been 'Gutted'?
A new report from ProPublica whitewashes the IRS, while ignoring the positive benefits of tax evasion.
Wayne County Cops Seized Her Car Over $10 Worth of Weed. Now She's Suing.
The lawsuit argues that the excessive penalty violated her Eighth Amendment rights. The Supreme Court is currently considering a similar case.
Neil Gorsuch, Civil Asset Forfeiture, and the Original Meaning of the 14th Amendment
Where does Justice Gorsuch stand on the Privileges or Immunities Clause?
Lawsuit Alleges California Cops Stole Weed and Cash During Traffic Stops
Numerous motorists say rogue cops in a small Northern California town ripped them off during bogus traffic stops.
In Rebuke to Saudis and Trump, Senate Votes to At Least Talk About Pulling U.S. Troops From Yemen: Reason Roundup
Plus: good signs in Supreme Court case on asset forfeiture and Ashley Judd talks prostitution.
Indiana Solicitor General: It's Constitutional to Seize a Car for Driving 5 MPH Over the Speed Limit
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer elicited a shocking response during Wednesday's oral argument in a big civil asset forfeiture case.
Today's Supreme Court Oral Argument in Timbs v. Indiana Suggests Justices are Likely to Apply Excessive Fines Clause to State Asset Forfeitures
The Court seems very likely to rule that the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment applies to state governments, and that at least some asset forfeitures violate the Clause. Potentially a big win for property rights and civil liberties.
Profitable Penalties Imperil Justice
The Supreme Court should make it clear that state forfeitures are constrained by the Excessive Fines Clause.
This Week, Supreme Court Will Hear an Important Case that Could Help Curb Asset Forfeiture Abuse
The case both addresses important legal issues, and could have substantial practical implications.
The 5 Worst Supreme Court Rulings of the Past 50 Years
Cases in which a majority of the Court fell down on the job.
No, Feds Can't Force Backpage Founders to Give Up Longtime Lawyers, Rules Judge
The ruling is a major win for Backpage founders James Larkin and Michael Lacey, as well as a strike against government overreach.
Philadelphia Will Dismantle Its Asset Forfeiture Program and Pay $3 Million to Victims
A legal settlement guarantees reforms to what was once one of America's most egregious asset forfeiture programs.
Police Raided Their Home and Business, Seized Their Money, and Nearly Ruined Their Lives Over Some Weed
After two years of fighting in court, a California couple is getting back $53,000 that was seized from them through asset forfeiture.
The Justice Department Didn't Charge Him With a Crime. It's Going to Take $39,000 from Him Anyway.
It's not a crime to travel with lots of cash. But you still might be treated like a criminal.
Court Decision Striking Down Albuquerque Asset Forfeiture Program Could Help Protect Property Rights Around the Country
If accepted by other courts, the judge's reasoning could curb a variety of other state and federal asset forfeiture policies that threaten the property rights of innocent people.
Federal Judge Breaks Up Albuquerque's Car Theft Ring
A new ruling says the city's civil forfeiture program violates the right to due process.
Federal Judge Rules That Albuquerque's Asset Forfeiture Created an Unconstitutional Profit Incentive
"There is a realistic possibility that forfeiture officials' judgement will be distorted by the prospect of institutional gain."
Georgia Sheriff Buys $70K Dodge Charger Hellcat With Forfeiture Funds
Now the Justice Department wants the money back, calling the purchase "extravagant."
Michigan Man Files Suit After Waiting 3 Years for a Hearing to Get His Seized Car Back
The government's definition of "prompt" is a little different from everyone else's, especially when it comes to asset forfeiture.
Police Seized Property of Close to 1,000 People in Michigan—Without Ever Convicting Them of Crimes
Thanks to a new state law, agencies now have to report how extensively civil asset forfeiture is used to take people's stuff.
Miami Police Return $20K in Glittery Cash Illegally Seized from Stripper
"I felt that the glitter on the seized cash was compelling evidence, but apparently the police department disagreed."
Supreme Court Will Hear Case on the Excessive Fines Clause that Could End Up Curbing Asset Forfeiture Abuse
The case will decide whether the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment applies to the states. If so, it will also have to address how much it restricts asset forfeiture.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Significant New Case About Civil Asset Forfeiture and the Bill of Rights
The justices will hear oral arguments next term in Timbs v. Indiana.
Hawaii Mismanaged Asset Forfeiture Program, Audit Finds
A state audit finds the Aloha State isn't keeping track of the stuff it seizes.
American Brazenly Robbed of $58,100 Life Savings by Federal Agents at Cleveland Airport
Rustem Kazazi was victimized by desperadoes from a gang called "Customs and Border Patrol," but thanks to the Institute for Justice he's fighting back.
