California Enacts Asset Forfeiture Reform, Mostly Closing Lucrative Fed Loophole
With Gov. Jerry Brown's signature, California mostly closed a loophole that allowed local police to seize property without a conviction by working with the feds.
Civil Asset Forfeiture
NYPD: We Don't Know How Much Cash We Seize, And Our Computers Would Crash If We Tried To Find Out
A bill in the New York City Council would force the NYPD to release annual reports on its asset forfeiture program, but the NYPD says it's impossible.
New Jersey Police Seize $171 From Man, Charge Him $175 to Challenge It
Hudson County, New Jersey combine dozens of asset forfeiture cases for amounts as low as $11, forcing defendants to pay higher filing fees to challenge them.
Mississippi Police Chief Kills Self Amid Federal Asset Forfeiture Investigation (UPDATED)
Justice Dept. was trying to track down $300,000 missing from fund
New Mexico Passed a Law Ending Civil Forfeiture. Albuquerque Ignored It, and Now It's Getting Sued
A new lawsuit filed by an Albuquerque woman and the Institute for Justice challenges the city's refusal to shut down its lucrative vehicle seizure program.
A Welcome Victory in the Fight Against Asset Forfeiture
The California Assembly approves one of the most significant civil libertarian reforms of the legislative session.
California Asset Forfeiture Reform Heading to Approval
Police will have to get convictions in many cases before taking people's stuff.
NYPD Civil Forfeiture Leaves Bronx Family Facing Eviction
A trashed apartment, seized cash, and a family left in the lurch. Another day of asset forfeiture in the U.S.
Illinois State's Attorney Hired Own Investigators to Conduct Drug Searches and Seizures
An Illinois state's attorney hired his own investigators to pull over motorists and search for drugs. Now the state supreme court will decide if it was legal.
California May Finally See Reforms to Police Seizure Rules
Compromise will require convictions before taking citizens' stuff below a value threshold.
NYPD Sued for Refusing to Reveal Data on Millions in Asset Forfeiture Revenue
Public records show the NYPD collected $6 million in asset forfeiture revenue in 2013, but a new lawsuit is seeking more info.
Calif. Cops Are Using Meth Lab Law to Keep Going After Legal Medical Marijuana Companies
Raids on facilities and attempts at asset forfeiture.
Prairie State Plunder
What Illinois got when law enforcement grabbed $72 million in property using asset forfeiture
Feds Return $29,500 They Stole From a Maryland Dairy Farmer
The DOJ starts to retroactively apply new guidelines for structuring-related forfeitures.
Could the IRS Empty Your Bank Account?
A little-known rule lets feds steal money from people who haven't been convicted-or even accused-of a crime.
'Biggest Sex Trafficking Bust Ever For McLennan County' Texas Mostly Snared Adult Sex Workers
"Putting criminals in jail is our favorite pastime," says Texas sheriff.
Reformers Again Attempt to Curtail Legal Theft by Police in California
Legislation reintroduced to require a conviction for asset forfeiture.
Oklahoma Police Can Pull You Over and Digitally Seize Money Right Off the Pre-Paid Cards in Your Wallet
Another tool used to fight international trafficking comes home to local police.
New Hampshire's Forfeiture Reforms Don't Truly Address Sources of Police Abuse
Tightening the rules would be great-if the police couldn't bypass them entirely.
Illinois Racks Up Millions in Property Seizures by Police
Newly uncovered documents reveal how much is taken, how much is forfeited-and the desperate need for more transparency.
Maryland Reforms Asset Forfeiture, Mandatory Minimums
Tighter rules on seizure and looser rules on sentences for nonviolent crimes.
Bipartisan Pack of Lawmakers Fights Legal Theft by Police with New House Bill
Reforms would give people more protections from asset forfeiture abuse.
Arkansas Trooper Steals $20,000, Because Nobody Innocent Carries That Much Cash
Prosecutors tried to drop the forfeiture case, but the judge would not let them.
Calif. Congressman Rails Against Police Abuse of Property Seizures
Calls for federal reform to stop law enforcement agencies from bypassing state restrictions.
Oklahoma Deputies Seize Thousands Raised by Burmese Christian Band and Claim It's Drug Proceeds (Update: Case Dropped)
Money donated to help Christian college in Burma, orphanage in Thailand.
How New Hampshire Plans to Spike Its Sex-Trafficking Stats
No evidence of a real sex-trafficking epidemic? No problem! The state has ways of creating sex traffickers...
Nebraska Ends 'Civil' Police Forfeiture Process, Will Require Convictions
Joins nine other states and D.C. in restrictions.
Nebraska Poised to Require Convictions for Asset Forfeiture
Law would forbid participation in federal 'sharing' program for most situations.
Another Poll Shows Citizens Overwhelmingly Oppose Police Seizing Property Without Convictions
Mississippi voters against civil asset forfeiture.
Nearly 1 in 10 Knows Somebody Who Has Had Property Seized Without Criminal Charges
Polls consistently show the public, when informed, opposes civil forfeiture.
Florida Governor Signs Bill Requiring Actual Criminal Charges Before Seizing Property
Important reform to reduce asset forfeiture abuse
Bad News: The Justice Dept. Has Restarted Its Program to Share Seized Property with Police
Incentives bolstered to find reasons to take private property in the name of fighting crime.
Appeals Court Rejects Cops' Hunch-Based Theft of $271,080
The 7th Circuit demands actual evidence of drug trafficking to justify the forfeiture of two brothers' savings.
What Is Congress Hiding?
Legislators smuggled all kinds of questionable provisions into a last-minute, $1.1 trillion spending bill
Florida Legislators Unanimously Approve Major Forfeiture Reforms
The bill, which now goes to the governor, requires an arrest and proof beyond a reasonable doubt in most cases.
IRS Agrees to Apply New Forfeiture Standards to Old Case, Give Back Convenience Store Owner's Life Savings
IRS initially stole $153,907.99 from Ken Quran for taking money out of his own bank account in amounts the government found suspicious.
New Lawsuit Attempts to Fix Broken Indiana Property Forfeiture Rules
The schools are supposed to get the funds when police seize assets, but that's not happening.
After Returning the Money They Stole, Feds Will Pay Interest and Legal Expenses Too
A convenience store owner accused of "structuring" will get some compensation for his forfeiture ordeal.
New York Paper Says Cops Love Asset Forfeiture, So You Should Too
It pays for stuff police need. What's not to like?
DEA Promised TSA Agent a Cut of Passengers' Seizable Cash
The DOJ's inspector general deemed the arrangement inappropriate.
Maryland Lawmakers Attempt Veto Override for Police Forfeiture Reform
New bill would require conviction before police could take ownership of property.
Miami Cops Kept Businessman's Cash Long After They Knew It Was Legitimate
Abuses inspire a proposal to abolish civil forfeiture in Florida.
Cops in 'Podunk' Florida Town Sent Millions to Venezuela, Including to Maduro Aide
Police in Bal Harbour never made an arrest.
Wonderful Asset Forfeiture News: Justice Department Temporarily Halts "Equitable Sharing" Program
Thanks to budget cuts, for a while local cops can't get federal payoffs for stealing property allegedly connected to drugs.
Iowa Supreme Court Makes Legalized Theft Harder by Rejecting an 'Unreasonably Extended' Traffic Stop
The common practice of pretextual stops aimed at finding seizable money takes a hit.
Drug Czar Wants More Money to Spend on Taking Your Stuff
ONDCP requests record amount to "manage the massive paper flow associated with forfeiture."
New Mexico Cities Attempt to Ignore Tough Restrictions on Property Seizure. Lawsuits Follow.
Albuquerque continues snatching and selling cars through civil, not criminal, program.
Cops Now Take More Than Robbers
New findings show asset forfeiture a growing attack on property rights.
