Change in Asset Seized Sharing Process

[KMFJD]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/inves...7ca058-99d4-11e4-bcfb-059ec7a93ddc_story.html

"Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Friday barred local and state police from using federal law to seize cash, cars and other property without evidence that a crime occurred.

Holder’s action represents the most sweeping check on police power to confiscate personal property since the seizures began three decades ago as part of the war on drugs.

Since 2008, thousands of local and state police agencies have made more than 55,000 seizures of cash and property worth $3 billion under a civil asset forfeiture program at the Justice Department called Equitable Sharing."

Sounds like a step in the right direction, unfortunately states still have their own asset seizure laws but i believe it goes to a general fund and not directly to the police department.

 

[hal2kilo]

That this crap was ever sanctioned in the first place is a discrace to our justice system.

Think of the children my ass.

 

[CLite]

Wow, I'm stunned. That's awesome news.

 

[ivwshane]

Very nice!! I hope his predecessor follows in his footsteps.

 

[Pipeline 1010]

THANKS OBAM....

Wait, what? The administration has taken a step in the right direction TWICE in the last year (Cuba). Thanks, Obama!

 

[Nebor]

I can't believe this actually happened. I'm shocked.

 

[Svnla]

I have to give this a thumb up because in the US, you must have a chance to defense yourself of any crime you are accused of.

 

[werepossum]

Obama and Holder are now back on my Christmas list. As KMFJD points out this may not have much effect, but as with gay marriage just to have them stand up and say this is wrong means a great deal. Kudos to both.

 

[werepossum]

Very nice!! I hope his predecessor follows in his footsteps.

Um . . . What?

 

[Knowing]

With his history of ludicrous declarations I'm wondering whether he had a come to Jesus moment, is trying to atone for his years of excusing taking bad Bush policies to 11, or slipped something even more horrible in to the documentation.

 

[Darwin333]

Holy shit, I didn't expect that.

In all honesty it should never be directly profitable for a government agency to fuck with you.

 

[cabri]

Holy shit, I didn't expect that.

In all honesty it should never be directly profitable for a government agency to fuck with you.

Tell that to the IRS. :hmm::twisted:

 

[Darwin333]

BTW, this doesn't stop all asset forfeiture it just stops the quite literal highway robbery and extortion that has been taking place in a multitude of places across the country. They would take your cash without ever charging you with a crime and you'd have to get a lawyer to prove it was earned legitimately, despite zero evidence to the contrary, to get it back. In a lot of places the highway robbery included extorting people to sign away the property under threat of being charged with BS crimes in some place usually far away from home.

 

[Darwin333]

Tell that to the IRS. :hmm::twisted:

The IRS is a bit different but that money goes to the Federal general fund as far as I understand it. They aren't kicking in doors, falsely accusing people, accidentally killing people, etc... all in an effort to get themselves a nice new helicopter or some new machine guns for the SWAT team.

 

[Fern]

This might have been a relevant section to include in the above quotes:

Holder’s action comes as members of both parties in Congress are working together to craft legislation to overhaul civil asset forfeiture. Last Friday, Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), along with Reps. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) and John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), signed a letter calling on Holder to end Equitable Sharing.

Looks very much like Holder is responding to bi-partisan pressure/encouragement.

Unfortunately Holder's action won't affect seizures done in accordance with state law. However, it appears Congress may be doing something about that. Maybe.

Fern

 

[Dari]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kEpZWGgJks

 

[Dari]

BTW, this doesn't stop all asset forfeiture it just stops the quite literal highway robbery and extortion that has been taking place in a multitude of places across the country. They would take your cash without ever charging you with a crime and you'd have to get a lawyer to prove it was earned legitimately, despite zero evidence to the contrary, to get it back. In a lot of places the highway robbery included extorting people to sign away the property under threat of being charged with BS crimes in some place usually far away from home.

Yeah. Remember, folks, the police are not your friend.

 

[Jhhnn]

This might have been a relevant section to include in the above quotes:



Looks very much like Holder is responding to bi-partisan pressure/encouragement.

Unfortunately Holder's action won't affect seizures done in accordance with state law. However, it appears Congress may be doing something about that. Maybe.

Fern

Heh. Looks like Holder found an excuse, that's all.

Explain how a guy who's handed in his resignation can be pressured.

 

[master_shake_]

Holy fucking shit its about fucking time!

Fucking about time!

 

[Darwin333]

Heh. Looks like Holder found an excuse, that's all.

Explain how a guy who's handed in his resignation can be pressured.

Personally, IDGAF. I'm nowhere remotely close to a fan of Holder but credit where credit is due. He made a great first step here, I just wish Congress had the balls to follow up. Of course they won't because then they will be called "on the bad guys side" or some other political bullshit.

Regardless, for the first time in a very long time I congratulate Holder on doing something that should have been done very long ago.

 

[Jhhnn]

Heh. Holder for President!

RWA spin promises to be astoundingly lame. On one hand, they have minions too big for their britches like the NYPD who must be appeased. OTOH, they're silenced by their own lying rhetoric much as with cannabis legalization.

The WaPo expose' & his action put enormous pressure on Congress & State Govts as well.

 

[waggy]

I don't give a shit why he did it. I am just happy he did.

 

[Exterous]

I don't give a shit why he did it. I am just happy he did.

:thumbsup: about fucking time

 

[CPA]

THANKS OBAM....

Wait, what? The administration has taken a step in the right direction TWICE in the last year (Cuba). Thanks, Obama!

While I'm glad to see Holder announce this, Cuba was NOT a step in the right direction. Have you seen the news today about those political prisoners they released?

 

[Jhhnn]

While I'm glad to see Holder announce this, Cuba was NOT a step in the right direction. Have you seen the news today about those political prisoners they released?

Is cognitive dissonance looming large? How desperate are you to derail this thread?