"Always Think Forfeture"
-The ATF
I do not have an issue with forfeiture as a broad concept. Money and possessions acquired as the fruit of criminal enterprises by convicted criminals should be put to the general good. I do have a real issue with agencies being able to keep the money they seize. Agencies profiting (or whatever you want to call it) from seizing money and goods creates an inherent self interest that is very definitely a bad thing.
Also I have a real issue with assets being seized when a conviction for a serious crime is not present. Lots of time people who are guilty as sin are not convicted for whatever reason, however in our system that means they are INNOCENT. We hear a story now and then about a guy who just deals in cash having a big wad taken from him and not being able to get it back. Admittedly those stories come from a fairly specific audience with views against this sort of thing. I am sure for every truly innocent guy whose money gets stolen there are a dozen crack dealers but that is not the point.
It seems like the well intentioned idea of asset forfeiture has been corrupted by a combination of bad laws and the self interest of various agencies who can seize funds.
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AFT? ATF? Sorry, the coffee is kicking in now. Looters in the truest sense of it, at least in Ayn Rand speak.
Yep, anytime senor drug dealer gets busted, the 1st question is 'where's the money?'
Almost hard to tell who the good / bad guys are these days. Maybe its just my imagination but down here, we are getting tons of LEOs caught in illegal activities. Makes you wonder how many others are getting away with it.
Not slamming LEOs though, they do a job that sees the really 'F'ed up side of life. My thanks to those who are honest and keep it real.
I agree with agencies being able to keep the money.
I also think that is part of the problem with the legal system. The lawyer/person should not be able to keep the PUNITIVE damages. It taints the purpose of the legal system.
I am NOT for limiting liability, but there needs to be a way for companies/people to be fiscally punished without encouraging frivolous lawsuits.
Having private charities meet certain requirements to receive these funds might be a good first step. The offending party pays and pay through the nose if that is what judge/jury decide, and the result is the betterment of society.
When I see a cop sitting on the side of the road with a radar gun, I see a modern day pirate looking for a boat full of loot to snatch. The same guy who decided to let cops seize assets for their own use must have been the same guy who thought it was a good idea to let politicians vote on their own pay raises.
The old image of cops is of Andy Taylor and Barney Fife, members of the community, keeping the peace. Over time they transitioned from peace keepers to law "enforcers". What's next? Shock troopers knocking your door down in the middle of the night? Can you imagine Barney decked out in $5,000 worth of body armor and firepower kicking your front door in? I can, I work around an entire force of 'em every day.
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