Bradenton (FL) Police Department bypassing courts in forfeitures

Herald Tribune ^ | October 22. 2006 | MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA and ANTHONY CORMIER

[BooBoo1000]

No cops should be indited, and they have done nothing wrong. The only problem is that the local Mafia( Bar Association) is not profiting in the program. Mr. Jarndice in ( Bleak House) says " The only purpose of Lawyers is to produce more work for themselves" They are not interested in what is legal. They couldn't care less about fairness, all they want is a piece of the pie.. FEE on all Lawyers.

[Cheburashka]

I'll bet these forfeiture "victims" are all stupid druggies and pushers
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Probably some of them are. Now, how about the rest? You know, the innocent ones? You know, like in "Innocent until proven guilty"?

And in point of fact of course even the druggies and pushers have rights. We don't allow them rights because they're druggies and pushers, but because we long ago came to the conclusion that if we allowed the government to just punish without trial the people the government "knew" were guilty, sooner or later WE would be the ones accused by the government that "knew" WE were guilty.

[Lloyd227]

"...Attorneys and constitutional law scholars say they are concerned...

It's about time someone showed some concern over this practice. This should never have been allowed at all, under any circumstances and I still find it hard to believe that the issue hasn't made it to the Supreme Court where it could be stopped.

[Lloyd227]

"I'll bet these forfeiture "victims" are all stupid druggies and pushers"

Of course you do.

Thanks for your comment

[goldstategop]

Its a form of legalized bribery. Want the cops to drop their charges against you? La Mordida it to them!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[elkfersupper]

These people are probably (I hope) going to start a war.

[diogenes ghost]

This is not a new problem. Several years ago the Kansas City Star published a six part series about seizing cash from motorists, in several states. It is chilling in it's scope, running from locals thru counties, states & the feds. When the feds get involved, they split the proceeds with the county/state, forcing the poor sap to spend thousands trying to recover his money in Federal court system.

[VeniVidiVici]

This is crap.

The headline of the "article": Bradenton (FL) Police Department bypassing courts in forfeitures

And yet, the seizures cited in the article were reviewed by a judge.

Unless cops have an ironclad case against the person they don't even try to keep the seized funds and/or property.

If you have property that is seized you are given a notice of forfeiture. You then have X-number of days to agree to forfeiting your property or NOT AGREE TO THE FORFEITURE. If you don't agree to it then a hearing is setup BEFORE A JUDGE.