civil forfeiture, again

[mtangelsfan]

http://www.businessinsider.com/charles-clarke-had-his-life-savings-seized-through-civil-forfeiture-2015-6

 

When candidates start really discussing this kind of thing, that is when I may give them consideration.

 

For me, these are actions of a police state that would make the framers tremble in their boots.  This is worse than what they fought the Revolutionary War for.

 

 

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

"Through a legal doctrine called civil forfeiture, police can seize cash or property if they suspect it's tied to an illegal activity — even if the owner isn't even charged with a crime."

 

"Renée Flaherty, one of Clarke's attorneys, says that civil forfeiture laws incentivize police seizure of cash and property as state and local police receive a percentage of forfeiture proceeds in exchange for referring seized property to federal authorities."

 

If this is true I can't even wrap my ahead around what kind of rationale allows this to happen.  The only thing this guy and people like him (i.e. those not charged with a crime) are guilty of is carrying cash.  Meanwhile both the feds and local police benefit from it.  So the people who enforce the law can seize your cash when you've done nothing wrong and unless you can get a good attorney you may never see it again.  **** that.    

Edited June 18, 2015 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[mtangelsfan]

Cat, this has been going on for a while.  Just google "civil forfeiture" and you will see many horrilbe stories about people losing cash, cars, even homes to the police due to this practice.

 

The one story out of Philadelphia where a family lost their house to this because their son was "thought" to be a drug dealer.

 

It is honestly horrible. 

[mtangelsfan]

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=civil+forfeiture+john+oliver

 

 

Watch this John Oliver piece.

[arch stanton]

If that kid was to find the any of the ones who stole his money and empty a clip into his chest I don't think I could muster any outrage.

[nate]

Seems like a violation of so many of our rights.  Such BS.

[Stradling]

I'll wait for Juan Savages thoughts before I form an opinion.

[nate]

I'll wait for Juan Savages thoughts before I form an opinion.

 

He's black so JS is cool with it.

[Glen]

Man, **** the police.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

I believe you MT and I've seen some of the articles/clips you've posted before on civil forfeiture.  I just tend to say something like "if true" when posting since some information you (general sense, not you specifically) come across online is sketchy at best.  I still can't wrap my ahead around what kind of law or ruling made this okay.  I mean what kind of thought process legal or other would lead anyone to believe this is okay or should be allowed to happen is beyond me.    

[arch stanton]

I believe you MT and I've seen some of the articles/clips you've posted before on civil forfeiture.  I just tend to say something like "if true" when posting since some information you (general sense, not you specifically) come across online is sketchy at best.  I still can't wrap my ahead around what kind of law or ruling made this okay.  I mean what kind of thought process legal or other would lead anyone to believe this is okay or should be allowed to happen is beyond me.    

This was intended to be used against drug kingpins in the "Miami Vice" days. Like most things these asshats do it's morphed into a revenue source. These are the issues that get hidden in campaigns while they talk about gay marriage and who gets what share of the money they take right out of your pocket.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

I get that I just don't understand how a law meant to go after drug dealers, gang members, mobsters, etc. is warped to the point it's used as a reason to not only take cash off regular people but allow local cops to keep a cut.  Even if someone is a suspected drug dealer after so long if nothing can be proven the property should be returned.  If cops are allowed to take things without proving anything illegal has happened how long until they take other liberties?  Oh wait we've seen that happen sometimes violently and in some of those cases little or nothing happens to the cops.  Scary times we live in and some of that fear comes from the power those who are expected to uphold the law wield.  

[arch stanton]

It happens because people who think they have nothing to worry about allow laws to pass even if the principles of the thing wreak of fascism. As long as they aren't coming after my money why should I care?

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

I don't recall seeing this law passed on anything I've voted for.  I get what you're saying though about the whole "it doesn't impact me" mantra but this is something that you would hope would have been addressed by the courts by now as being unconstitutional.  Hell I'm as guilty as most everyone else of standing idly by but it really comes down to choosing your battles.  I've only got so much time, energy and money to keep myself afloat and would go broke and insane trying to right all the wrongs in the world.  Makes me appreciate those that try to that much more.  

[arch stanton]

It's a battle of wills and it's one the other side can afford to hire someone to fight for them

[Tank]

Somebody who's been wrongly accused in one of these police takeovers needs to get the court process going so they can eventually get this to the SCOTUS.

[Crampknees]

WTF?  MT is right, this goes on a lot. I read a story where a hispanic guy got pulled over and he had a large amount of cash.  They seized it and his truck. He was on his way to buy a tractor for his fathers farm.  The tractor was needed for them to make a living and so now no cash and no tractor. 

[Vegas Halo Fan]

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=civil+forfeiture+john+oliver

 

 

Watch this John Oliver piece.

 

Brilliant, as always.

[Crampknees]

That was hilarious....and frightening. 

[Mark68]

Civil forfeiture is a violation of the fourth amendment, plain and simple. The fact that much of its consequences fall upon those who can ill afford to have assets seized is egregious.

 

One more outcome of the failed "War on Drugs".

[Adam]

I love these issues we all agree on. Though, I'd be interested to get Juan's take

[HeavenlyHalos]

Probably 15 sentences that all say this is the liberals fault.

[nate]

I love these issues we all agree on. Though, I'd be interested to get Juan's take

 

Leftists... Blue states... Obama...

[Vegas Halo Fan]

 

Makes me wonder whether this was really a drug dealer's car, or if it belonged to someone who they accused of drug distribution so that the Tulsa Police could have a Cadillac Escalade in their motor pool.

[gotbeer]

Lawmakers seek to curb police seizures of assets

sad that it has come to this.