Seminars Tell Police The Best Items To Confiscate From Americans

Michael Allen opposingviews.com Civil asset forfeiture laws were originally created during the "War on Drugs" in the 1980s to seize the ill-gotten gain of drug king pins, but like so many "get tough on crime" laws, civil forfeiture is often misused against average U.S. citizens. Police can seize people's property and possessions under civil forfeiture laws without having to prove guilt. In most states, the owner of the property must prove his innocence in court to get his or her belongings back. This practice has proven to be such a financial windfall for local police departments that there are now seminars instructing police on which items are the best to confiscate for financial gain. The seminars tell police not to seize jewelry or computers, but rather scoop up Americans' flat screen TVs, fancy cars and cash. According to The New York Times, Harry S. Connelly Jr., the city attorney of Las Cruces, N.M., called these items “little goodies” during the City of Santa Fe Vehicle Forfeiture Conference on Sept. 10. to read more: opposingviews.com