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.
Civil Asset Forfeiture
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.
Law Enforcement Loves Legal Larceny
Legislators should ignore the self-interested fearmongering of cops and prosecutors who oppose forfeiture reform.
Institute for Justice Maps States That Still Love to Steal Your Stuff
Despite some reforms, civil asset forfeiture revenues continue to grow.
Today at SCOTUS: The Sixth Amendment, Asset Forfeiture, and the Right to Counsel
The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Luis v. United States.
Affirmative Action, Unions, Asset Forfeiture: 3 SCOTUS Cases To Watch
The Supreme Court may end mandatory union dues for California school teachers and limit state taking of property.
Michigan Police Will Find It a Little Bit Harder to Seize and Keep People's Stuff
Governor approves modest reforms to asset forfeiture laws.
Modest Police Forfeiture Reform in Michigan Makes It to Governor's Desk
Increases burden of proof, requires more transparency
The War on Sex Trafficking is the New War on Drugs
Anti-trafficking efforts includes everything from offering or soliciting paid sex, to living with a sex worker, to running a classified advertising website.
Ohio Legislators Look to Require Criminal Convictions Before Seizing Assets
Police, prosecutors resist changes.
Federal Bill Offers One-Two Punch Against Marijuana Meddling, Asset Forfeiture
Would forbid use of seized funds to perpetuate drug war.
Forget Justice: Cops Just Want Money
Police lobbyists swarm the California Capitol to derail popular asset-forfeiture reform bill.
Forfeiture Reformers in California Lick Wounds, Plan Next Steps
Bill fails, but the battle's not over.
California Forfeiture Reform Bill Stalls in Assembly
Law and order lobbyists defeat due process.
Feds on Asset Forfeiture Reform: It's Too Much Trouble to Track Convictions Before Taking People's Stuff
California's participation in federal program threatened just by calling for better due process.
After Veto, Wyoming Considers Milder Asset Forfeiture Reform
But there's still legislation under consideration to mandate conviction first.
What It Takes for a Judge to Reject a Dog-Authorized Cash Seizure
There are still some limits on cops' license to steal, provided courts are willing to enforce them.
Why Are Michigan Prosecutors Reassessing Their Cases Against Medical Marijuana Patients?
Judging from Ginnifer Hency's case, the official reason is implausible.
Michigan Prosecutors Drop Case Against Medical Marijuana Patient and Agree to Return Her Stuff
The county kept Ginnifer Hency's property even after the charge against her was dismissed.
When Will Criminal Justice Reform Take Center Stage at a GOP Debate?
Don't let the Left own this issue. They've been terrible.
Self-Funding Cops and Prosecutors, a.k.a. Armed Robbers
An ACLU lawsuit highlights the corrupting effect of civil forfeiture.
Oklahoma Official Used Asset Forfeiture to Pay Back His Student Loans
Another lived rent-free in a confiscated house.
ACLU Challenges Arizona's Forfeiture Laws: 'This Racket Has to Stop'
Innocent owners often find that fighting a seizure costs more than their property is worth.
Asset Forfeiture Reform Activists Mobilize as California Assembly Takes Up Bill
Police chiefs, prosecutors don't want money taken away.
DEA Steals $44,000 From Nail Salon Owner at JFK
Vu Do says he never committed a drug offense, but he did miss a deadline.
Arizona Cops Publicize All Phone Contacts of Suspected Sex Businesses
A prostitution witch hunt in Tucson uncovered ample police corruption, yet it's the civil liberties of citizens suffering a blow.
Yoink! TSA Publicizes Man Traveling with Bag of Cash. Then Feds Seize It.
Now he may have to prove the money is not involved with any crime to get it back.
Behold: The 'Simple' Rules for Fighting Federal Asset Forfeiture
Get out your magnifying glass for this flowchart.
Claiming to Smell Pot, Airport Cops Steal $11,000 From College Student
Charles Clarke says he is a smoker, not a dealer, but it may not matter.
This Map Details Whether Asset Forfeiture Laws in Your State Are Good or Awful
(Spoiler: Chances are they're probably awful.)
California May Be Next to Pass Police Asset Forfeiture Reform
Law enforcement agencies would be blocked from bypassing state restrictions by turning to the Department of Justice.
