HARRISBURG, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2015) – A bill under consideration in the Pennsylvania Senate would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds.…
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 6, 2015) – Last week, a coalition of Ohio legislators introduced a bill that 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.…
Documents uncovered by the Institute for Justice reveal federal officials have inserted themselves into efforts to reform state asset forfeiture laws, working behind the scenes to ensure states continue to participate in the federal forfeiture program. As reported by TechDirt, emails from Department of Justice and Treasury Department officials appear to urge local law enforcement…
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (Aug. 27, 2015) – Today, a power California Assembly Committee passed a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Previously passed by the Senate, it moves one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Introduced by Sen.…
The California Assembly has an opportunity to send an historic and powerful asset forfeiture reform bill to Governor Jerry Brown for a signature. Senate Bill 443 (SB443) passed the Senate 38-1 in June, and already passed unanimously out of the Public Safety Committee in the Assembly earlier this month. BUT, inside sources close to the…
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (July 15, 2015) – Yesterday, a California Assembly Committee unanimously passed a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Previously passed by the Senate, it moves one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Introduced by…