Policing for Profit? Lawmakers, advocates raise alarm at growing gov’t power to seize property

FoxNews ^ | May 9, 2014 | Barnini Chakraborty

[Innovative]

In civil forfeiture, authorities don’t have to prove guilt, file charges or obtain a conviction before seizing private property. Critics say it is a process ripe for abuse, and one which leaves citizens little means of fighting back.

They said they wanted his Tewksbury, Mass., business – and the land it was on – because they suspected it was a hotbed for drug-dealing and prostitution.

After a four-day trial, on Jan. 24, 2013, a federal judge in Boston dismissed the forfeiture action against the motel, ruling that the government engaged in “gross exaggeration” of the evidence and did not have authority to seize the property.

[Innovative]

At least the judge was sane. But apparently the laws aren't...

[353FMG]

“Critics say it is a process ripe for abuse....”

.
No sh*t, Dick Tracy.

[kiryandil]

Vice-admiralty courts.

King George III would have been proud how our Masters have slipped around the Constitution and the Declaration without triggering retribution...

Cliven Bundy is RACISS!!!

[OneWingedShark]

It's the direct outgrowth of the War on Drugs.

[GeronL]

just like NAZI Germany and Soviet Union tyranny - but always the so-called WOD with some people as if all bad things happen because not everybody is high. Legalize it and the tyranny remains without a doubt.

[RedMDer]

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[null and void]

Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!

To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...

[Lady Jag]

Support FR

[MtnClimber]

If the system won’t protect you then they have sided with the thieves of the enemy.

[OneWingedShark]

Legalize it and the tyranny remains without a doubt.

How can one legalize what is not legitimately lawful to prohibit?
This is to say: how can one legalize what congress has no power to illegalize?

The entire War on Drugs is predicated on the fallacy that is Wickard v. Filburn.
Covering for these bad decisions has lead to the ridiculous ruling that non-comerce is regulable by congress under the interstate commerce clause.

[drunknsage]

The prison pimps have no time for such logic and analysis, let alone discussion or reform. They cower at the mere thought that someone would choose something other than alcohol to unwind. They see themselves as the kingpins of our nation of jailers, unaccountable for their actions and immune to the reality of their precious antidrug policies.

[Lazamataz]

I noticed this one way back in 1993. I complained to everyone I knew that the end result was the police state we find ourself facing. Everyone made fun of my assertion.

How d'ya like me NOW.

[Nifster]

Better yet...what’s mine is mine and what’s your is mine

[Durus]

Some people are smart enough to remember how these laws were justified and it was directly due to the war on (some) drugs. Without the justification for these laws the laws don’t need to exist anymore.

[Durus]

Could you provide a source for that quote? I don’t recall it.

[Lady Jag]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97n-uqJC2Jw

[virgil]

Kennedy was talking about communism. He sounds so reasonable compared to what we have now. The govt we have now is un-American.

[Roses0508]

Bump

[justiceseeker93]

JFK: "You cannot negotiate with people who say what's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable."

As has been said many times in recent years, JFK would have no place in today's Washington Democratic Party, most certainly not as a presidential candidate.

[justiceseeker93]

JFK: "There's a plot in this country to enslave every man, woman, and child. Before I leave this high office, I intend to expose this plot."

I was somewhat aware of politics at that time, yet I have no recollection whatsoever of this quote. What is the source, and it accurate, what do you suppose JFK was referring to?