Hickenlooper Signs Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill

[mountain grammy]

Source: Colorado Pols.

As the Denver Post’s Jesse Paul reports, a big win for the ACLU of Colorado as Gov. John Hickenlooper signs legislation to reform the controversial civil asset forfeiture process in Colorado:
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Friday will sign into law a controversial bill seeking to change how officers and sheriff’s deputies seize money and property, against the urging of the Colorado law enforcement community and local government groups who say it could hamper crime fighting efforts.
- See more at: http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/95839/hickenlooper-signs-civil-asset-forfeiture-reform-bill#sthash.esA8MWcX.dpuf



Read more: Hickenlooper Signs Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill - See more at: http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/95839/hickenlooper-signs-civil-asset-forfeiture-reform-bill#sthash.esA8MWcX.dpuf

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I was getting a little worried, but he came through. Every state that allows civil asset forfeiture should address this issue.

Controversial? Not to me!

[question everything]

1. But, but, Sessions has been a big promoter

[DFW]

2. It's was past due that legalized official theft was banned and even punished

We had a town in eastern Texas that was nationally known for it's wannabe country singer-mayor and sherriff getting rich by seizing the cash of every unwitting victim that drive through their town and got their cash seized for any made-up reason they had in mind.

Even as far back as 1970, I was with some friends driving through Alabama and we got caught in a speed trap. If you're not familiar with them, in the South, along State Highways, towns they passed through could still impose local speed limits. They'd post a sign on a 50mph limit street saying "Speed Zone Ahead," and then before you could slow down enough, it suddenly said "Speed Limit 15 MPH." They had their local cops stationed right behind the sign, and any out-of-state car would be stopped for speeding. When we got caught in one, we asked how much the fine was. The cop asked "how much y'all got on you?" That's how much the fine was. Jimmy Carter first achieved some national prominence as governor of Georgia for trying to eliminate the practice in his state.

I realize that it has gotten to the point where many municipalities shore up their budgets with this practice, but it's still outright banditry, and one of the few instances I would justify driving around with a firearm. A guy with a gun trying to rob you is an armed robber. It makes no difference if he is wearing a hoodie or a uniform.

[dalton99a]

5. Yep. Tenaha, Texas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenaha,_Texas

[Ligyron]

7. Waldo, FL

Infamous speed trap known nation wide for years and made so by AAA got their whole police force cancelled once one honest cop turned whistleblower.

I understand one doesn't even have to be arrested or charged with any crime in some states.

[SunSeeker]

3. California now requires conviction before civil asset forfeiture

Since 1994, California state law has required a criminal conviction before real estate, vehicles, boats and cash under $25,000 could be forfeited to the government. But those requirements are completely missing under federal law. So California police could instead partner with a federal agency, take the property under federal law, and reap up to 80 percent of the proceeds.

To fix this, the new law requires a criminal conviction before agencies can receive forfeiture payments from the federal government on forfeited real estate, vehicles, boats and cash valued at under $40,000.

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/keep-your-cash-civil-asset-forfeiture-curtailed-under-new-california-law

[mountain grammy]

4. California leads the way

we've been trying to get this passed in CO for years.

[dalton99a]

6. +1

[Hortensis]

9. What an amazingly...basic standard. We were still living

in California when the forfeiture law that one reformed was passed. Conservatives were busily cutting taxes, herded to the polls by horror stories of murders in the streets, law enforcement was eager for new sources of revenue, and most citizens who got their coat caught in some judicial wheel were easy prey. Disgusting.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." Winnie Churchill. Apparently Brits were somewhat more responsible and educated back then than Americans today.

[Hortensis]

8. Wonderful. Thanks for the good news.