Posted on 02/21/2013 6:02:19 PM PST by GrootheWanderer
Each year, law enforcement agencies across Georgia seize millions of dollars in cash and property from individuals who have never even been charged, much less convicted of a crime. They keep it for their own use, and theres little oversight of how they use it.
That needs to change. Ideally, law enforcement should not be able to seize any cash or property from anyone who hasnt been convicted of a crime, and they should have to go to court to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the property they want was connected to the crime that person was convicted of. As it stands now, its up to the owners of seized property to prove it isnt connected to a crime.
House Bill 1, which the Legislature is currently considering, doesnt go that far. But it does impose some common sense rules on law enforcement agencies. For instance, it would deny agencies the proceeds of forfeiture if they fail to make public annual reports specifying what property and cash they seize and how they use it. It would also deny them the right to the proceeds of forfeiture if they have a record of misusing forfeitures.
(Excerpt) Read more at daltondailycitizen.com ...
Words mean things people. These people are no more than common criminals with badges. Should be dealt with like the ones without.
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