Prosecutors Claim They Have to Take Innocent People’s Stuff

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 and prosecutors can proceed with asset forfeiture. It’s hard to imagine how anybody could oppose such a reform. No person should have their property confiscated if they did not commit a crime. But prosecutors and law enforcement lobbyists in Oklahoma do indeed oppose the reform – passionately. …