Jeff Sessions Announces Justice Department Will Increase Asset Forfeiture

Reason.com ^ | July 17, 2017 | C.J. Ciaramella

[Coronal]

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department will issue new directives to increase the federal govenment's use of civil asset forfeiture, a controversial practice that allows law enforcement to seize property from suspected criminals without charging them with a crime.

Speaking at a National District Attorneys Association conference in Minneapolis Monday, Sessions said state and local law enforcement could expect changes from U.S. Attorneys in several areas: increased prosecution of gun crimes, immigration offenses, gang activity, and prescription drug abuse, as well as increased asset seizure by the federal government.

[HiTech RedNeck]

While on the surface that sounds like a tough-on-crime move, bypassing serious judicial process turns it into an informal taxation system that encourages nod-wink without accountability at a higher, publicly documented and examined level... while at the same time possibly badly hurting the little guy, who isn’t making zillions off of things like street drugs, but has somehow offended Johnny Mountie and can’t afford the costly lawyers to get part of it back.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Namely... just because the Constitution might not forbid it, it may not be wise policy (in its presence form) just the same.

I hope the Trump administration and Congress both realize this, and require heightened review and accountability.

[Pollster1]

If there is a felony conviction, and if there is a proven link between the assets seized and the felony, then I’m okay with this. Otherwise, asset forfeiture should not happen.

[saturn]

More of the same, sessions , what a joke he’s become.

[tennmountainman]

Jeff how about starting investigations on all the RAT scandals.

[SkyPilot]

What next Jeff? First you want to reinvigorate the D.A.R.E program. I didn't know you were running for First Lady or Drug Tsar Jeff?

Then you praised the arrest and persecution of the Bundy family.

Now you are talking "asset forfeiture.

How about you do your freaking job Jeff and investigate and prosecute Hillary, Obama, Lynch, Rice, Podesta, Holder, Brennan, Clapper, Comey, and the rest of their hired goons?

Or is that just too, too hard for you Jeff?

Who? Me? Well.....I......hmmmm.....I am not sure.....

That's.......a big decision.....one that I have to.....you know.....weigh and think about.....

I....I....am sorry....but I have to Recuse myself from this.......

[rarestia]

That was the point. There’s no conviction. They don’t even have to have a writ, as I understand it.

[heights]

Good going Jeffery, let’s scare Doctors from subscribing pain medicine, chase pot smokers and Steal people’s money! God, this clown is awful

[HiTech RedNeck]

This seems to be taking place on the level of “nuisance abatement” but I’m not even sure it’s meeting its stated goals there. A smart drug kingpin will soon learn to let the mounties take a certain plunder. They won’t be so inclined to kill that golden goose rather than just pluck it every so often.

I’d want to see the safeguard of the proceeds going to the public treasury AND a robust judicial process, supported by law, to contest the takings.

[Jim Robinson]

Not cool.

[trisham]

This is unacceptable and leads to government corruption.

[Garth Tater]

but has somehow offended Johnny Mountie and can’t afford the costly lawyers to get part of it back.

You don't even have to offend them. It's free money in their eyes. There for the taking - and they do.

[stormhill]

...increased prosecution of gun crimes, immigration offenses, gang activity, and prescription drug abuse, as well as increased asset seizure by the federal government.

I was expecting relief from the Kleptocracy with the Trump administration. Either I'm having a hideous nightmare or something's gone awry.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Indeed, I think many libertarians are going to give him (and Donald Trump) grief over that.

I cut Donald some slack. He is still in a learning curve.

[mlo]

Sessions is Trump’s worst appointee.

[canalabamian]

And then salt the entire district.

[trisham]

That would solve nothing.

[gaijin]

A really disappointing, foolish old man.

Had really REALLY high hopes for him.

I’m very surprised.

He saved the worst for the last phase of his life.

I’m hoping he goes away soon.

A man with SO much honor and integrity just went and BLEW IT ALL at the end.

OUT WITH A WHIMPER.