Florida Governor Signs Bill Requiring Actual Criminal Charges Before Seizing Property

Reason ^ | Apr. 1, 2016 | Scott Shackford

[dfwgator]

Anything for a buck-ten. Inflation, you know.

Freedom costs a buck-oh-five.

[Agnes Heep]

The longest journey begins with a single step.

[dsc]

I didn’t mean to correct you; I was just riffing on it.

[Ouderkirk]

I know that my father’s recollection of growing up in America in the 1920’s is far different from mine. of the late 1960 and early 1970’s.

To me the 1980’s and the advent of MADD is when the slide into stupidity began in earnest.

[redgolum]

The way it was if you carried enough cash, they could take it and say it was drub money. You can NEVER get it back.

[Lazamataz]

In a sane world, Mothers Against Drunk Driving would be countered by Fathers For Drunk Driving.

[AndyJackson]

The notion that police officers can take cash or other property from people never charged with any criminal wrongdoing and keeping any profits from the sale of seized property doesn't sit well with the public," he said.

The voters? First it doesn't sit well with the Constitution.

[zeugma]

Judging from what has happened in other jurisdictions across the country, what will happen is the theft will no longer take place under state laws. Instead, the police will steal the money and/or property and then get the feds to do the dirty work. The feds will take a cut, like any criminal organization would, and return a percentage back to the department. This has been done in this way elsewhere.

The vast majority of Americans actually have less to fear from common criminals than those claiming to 'protect' us.

[WMarshal]

I hope the new law does not let the police file charges, seize assets, then dismiss charges without returning seized assets. They should only be allowed to seize assets while the charges are filed or there is a conviction. They should also have to pay 110% back for the inconvenience.

[Ouderkirk]

I really despise MADD. They are the originators of the “if it saves just one life it will be worth it” road to the tyranny we are now living under.

[VeniVidiVici]

Florida never could seize property without going before a judge first.

[MeganC]

The majority of Florida law enforcement will ignore this new law and feign ignorance as they continue to perform literal highway robbery.

[rednesss]

"Florida never could seize property without going before a judge first."

Is that a comforting thought? So when the state employee (the cop) and the other state employee (the prosecutor) go see the other State employee (the judge), I'm supposed to believe that his bias isn't to the State?

[csivils]

Now they just “charge” you with a bogus charge, say the money was drug money and take it anyways.

They should only be able to take the money if they charge you with a drug offense. They should have to return the money if they don’t get a conviction on the drug offense.

[Don W]

I’m a charter member of DAMM: Drunks Against Mad Mothers < BG >

[VeniVidiVici]

Go whine somewhere else.

Funny how whenever this subject is reported on they NEVER mention that the state had to first either get permission from the owner to seize the property or convince a judge they had cause to seize it.

Agree with it or not but it’s an important tidbit that should be in the story.

[rednesss]

If by permission by the owner, you mean that someone was strong-armed on the side of the highway to either turn over cash or be arrested in the middle of nowhere far from their home. Then I guess you are right and you’re just a walking bastion of freedom.

“If you love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Mk2Uuznu8

[JimRed]

Good riff!