Wow!
Coming to a traffic stop near you soon.
I see Vic Mackey's fingerprints on this!
It would seem that the solution is a law that doesn't allow law enforcement to profit in any way from anything siezed, NOR from things like traffic ticket money. Give them a budget, period. There is just too big of a confict of interest if they can put money into their own dept.
susie
When robbed was done by the kings men they were called called highwaymen. What is the modern term for robbery by the police? Using force and guns they are committing armed robbery.
The police bypass the courts and confiscate money and property on the spot through a department-created form called the "Contraband Forfeiture Agreement." By signing it, a person agrees to relinquish their property to the police and waive any rights they have to try to get it back through the courts.
Of course, police will protest any suggestion of ending the practice. They've gotten used to their new method of funding, and won't give it up without a court fight.
"Larceny under color of law" would be the appropriate legal phrase.
Check out this sh!t.
A right to decide with, literally, a gun to their head. This is nothing less than robbery.
Remember that the dollar amounts are what is REPORTED.
Am I saying that the police are corrupt?
What else can you say when the local police department creates an administrative procedure that is, IMHO, in clear violation of the Constitution of the US and then dares anyone to come and get their money back?
The people or persons who wrote this administrative procedure and who signed off on it must be identified, jailed for civil rights violations, and punished . Any law enforcement officer or officer of the court system who knew of this activity and failed to report it must forfeit their jobs immediately.
Over reaction? Read your histories of Europe, Russia in the later 1910’s and Germany in the early 1930’s where administrative procedures lead to …… and remember there is no biological/mental difference between them and us.
I think this case is ripe for a Federal criminal investigation and civil rights suit for violation of rights under color of authority.
There. Probably more accurate.
I'll bet these forfeiture "victims" are all stupid druggies and pushers
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.
"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
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.
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.