Posted on Jan 31, 2019
TAKEN: How police departments make millions by seizing property
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https://www.greenvilleonline.com/in-depth/news/taken/2019/01/27/civil-forfeiture-south-carolina-police-property-seizures-taken-exclusive-investigation/ [login to see] /
This is a very in-depth story by the Greenville News exploring issues around Civil Asset Forfeiture. The story is focused on South Carolina but Civil Asset Forfeiture is a huge problem in many parts of the country. It's a system where police can seize peoples money based on nothing more than the claimed suspicion of the LEO involved that the money is somehow connected to criminal activity. If they take your money the burden in on you to prove that it was legitimate and if you don't the police get to keep it and spend it on themselves. To say it's a system that invites abuse is a gross understatement.
IMO the rampant abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture is one of the biggest systemic injustices that exists in our nation today.
BTW I deliberately tagged this Corruption because I steadfastly believe this is an example of police corruption, I believe that many police officers intentionally lie and allege that money is related to criminal activity even if they do not believe it is because they will benefit from the money seized.
This is a very in-depth story by the Greenville News exploring issues around Civil Asset Forfeiture. The story is focused on South Carolina but Civil Asset Forfeiture is a huge problem in many parts of the country. It's a system where police can seize peoples money based on nothing more than the claimed suspicion of the LEO involved that the money is somehow connected to criminal activity. If they take your money the burden in on you to prove that it was legitimate and if you don't the police get to keep it and spend it on themselves. To say it's a system that invites abuse is a gross understatement.
IMO the rampant abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture is one of the biggest systemic injustices that exists in our nation today.
BTW I deliberately tagged this Corruption because I steadfastly believe this is an example of police corruption, I believe that many police officers intentionally lie and allege that money is related to criminal activity even if they do not believe it is because they will benefit from the money seized.
TAKEN: How police departments make millions by seizing property
Posted from greenvilleonline.com
Police
Greenville
Law Enforcement
Journalism
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 6
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I don’t think corruption is adequate. This is an unconstitutional abuse of the People and another attack on our 4th Amendment rights.
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PO2 Robert Aitchison
There's actually a case before the Supreme Court right now that's related to this but based on thew nature of that particular case and the narrow scope of the issue in question people are speculating that it's unlikely that the SCOTUS will rule to outright ban or heavily restrict this abuse. Basically it's not a great case.
https://www.heritage.org/courts/commentary/the-supreme-court-signals-it-may-rein-abusive-property-seizures
https://www.heritage.org/courts/commentary/the-supreme-court-signals-it-may-rein-abusive-property-seizures
The Supreme Court Signals It May Rein in Abusive Property Seizures
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case that may rein in abusive property seizures by state and local governments through the highly controversial legal tool known as civil asset forfeiture.Thecaseat issue involves a man named Tyson Timbs, who sold $225 worth of heroin to undercover police officers on two occasions, as a means of raising money to support his own drug habit. Police arrested Timbs while he was driving to...
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LTC (Join to see)
Remember the movie Billy Jack. I think we will see a counter reaction to all this lawlessness from our government. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi
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I removed the corruption tag. I understand that you believe it is an example of corruption, but your opinion is not sufficient evidence that it is actually an example of a corrupt act. Stick with using the tags that are directly relevant to the story.
For what it's worth, this tag has been a bigger issue on RP. On a regular basis, I remove that tag off posts whenever people use it to drive angst against politicians they think are corrupt. Often, the post has absolutely nothing to do with corruption. Remember, "tags are for others, not for you". People who follow the Corruption tag do not want to see their feed filled with stories that are unrelated to corruption.
For what it's worth, this tag has been a bigger issue on RP. On a regular basis, I remove that tag off posts whenever people use it to drive angst against politicians they think are corrupt. Often, the post has absolutely nothing to do with corruption. Remember, "tags are for others, not for you". People who follow the Corruption tag do not want to see their feed filled with stories that are unrelated to corruption.
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Can't lose the bling, don't do the thing. I have personal experience with the federal forfeiture process. Taxpayer benefits by taking away the fruits of criminal activity even when a conviction is not successful. The burden of proof for civil taking stuff from the bad guys is lower than a criminal ruling. If a suspected drug dealer wants his large amount of cash given back, then he needs to explain how someone, usually unemployed, came into the money. The reason the money is not given back if the person is not criminally convicted is that it is wrong to allow profiteering from illegal activity.
Seized boats are used for marine patrols. Seized cars are used for undercover activity. Seized cash and drugs are used in sting operations. Taking away the conveyance of crime, makes crime riskier.
Seized boats are used for marine patrols. Seized cars are used for undercover activity. Seized cash and drugs are used in sting operations. Taking away the conveyance of crime, makes crime riskier.
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PO2 Robert Aitchison
What about all the people who did nothing wrong other than have cash that the police wanted?
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LTJG Richard Bruce
Rarely are innocent people involved. Common for criminals to give cash to "innocents" for safe keeping in case they get caught. There is a process to get the money back. Usually not done because they cannot prove legal source. If someone carries a large amount of cash for legit business, the police may be interested on how they pay for their financial obligations to the public. A cash business that does not pay for their taxes, fees, permits, etc, are in unfair competition with companies that do. That is called doing something wrong.
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