ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 10, 2016) – A Maryland bill that would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction passed the house this week, but an amendment approved during the process creates a loophole that would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law.…
DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 26, 2016) – An Iowa bill that would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction unanimously passed an important Senate committee this week. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to…
JUNEAU, Alaska, (Feb. 24, 2016) – A bill introduced in the Alaska House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep.…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill (Feb. 22, 2016) – An Illinois bill would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep. John Cavaletto (R-107th) introduced…
DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 16, 2016) – An Iowa bill would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Sen. Charles Schneider (R-Des…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 27, 2016) – Bills introduced in the Tennessee legislature would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep. Tilman…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 20, 2016) – A bill introduced in the Arizona House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep.…
A number of states will consider bills to reform state asset forfeiture laws during the upcoming legislative session. One special interest group opposing the reform movement shows why so many people call asset forfeiture “policing for profit.” The Oklahoma bill, along with legislation introduced in other states, would require a criminal conviction before law enforcement…
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 6, 2016) – A bill filed in the Virginia Senate for the 2016 legislative session would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws, making it more difficult for police to seize property. But a loophole in the legislation would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law. Sen.…
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Dec. 29, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Indiana Senate for the 2016 legislative session would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws, making it more difficult for police to seize property. But a loophole in the legislation would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law. Sen.…