Officers Wouldn't Prioritize Drug Dealers As They Do Now If It Weren't For Civil Asset Forfeiture
Police departments around the country have confiscated billions of dollars from innocent Americans, many of them had never been charged or convicted of any wrongdoing in relation to the confiscation of their property. But they have had their belongings taken from them regardless if they were innocent or not.
For some of the victims it has been their entire life savings, for others it has been their truck taken, house, boat, funds they had plans to open a clinic or buy a house with, or some other type of property.
Recently, the executive director to the SC sheriff's association admitted that if it weren't for the profit potential associated with civil asset forfeiture, that most officers likely wouldn't pursue and prioritize drug dealers in the way that they do today.
If officers aren't able to keep that profit, if there isn't that financial incentive, then what motivation will there be for them to go out and make a “special effort,” he questioned. This is why they would rather focus their resources on vicitmless crimes and going after drug dealers, than focus on something else such as one of the fastest growing criminal activities today—human trafficking. It just doesn't pay the same.
Increasingly, various jurisdictions have been seen pushing back against the controversial policy that is civil asset forfeiture and in some circumstances different legislation has been passed to try and promote further transparency about where the funds are going, or restrictions have been put into place that require a conviction before property can be confiscated etc.
Law enforcement agents have frequently claimed that this policy is used to target drug dealers but the truth is that most of the people who are targeted by this policy have not been convicted of any wrongdoing that would justify their property being taken away from them.
For those who do end up being wrongfully targeted, a growing number of those individuals have fought for their rights and eventually had their belongings eventually returned to them. At the end of the day, the police are wasting even more of their resources and coming out the loser in the end when they have to return that property that they had no right to confiscate in the first place. They should advocate for an adherence to due process so that mistakes can attempt to be limited; reduce the likelihood that people will be wasting their time and money.
Pics:
pic 1 flickr via vox
pic 2 - larrysharpe
It is spectacularly amazing (statistically) that almost all big drug bust happen just after the drugs have left and only money is there.
But, even without asset forfeiture, police would be busting pot heads. Because they have to make their arrest quota, and pot heads are usually not dangerous, and are easy to convict... i mean, get to sign their lives and rights away in a plea deal.
Great article, super informative as usual. Don't stop!
I love getting my news from here. This is about things that actually matter.
✌ apprec the feedback!:)
Police Your Friend And Helping Hand ...
😂 yup!
@doitvoluntarily It is truly incredible the amount of innocent people who have lost everything because of the police abuse. Shameful
Thank you very much dear friend for spreading this news
I wish you a good start to the week
same to you! thanks for stopping by!
I think police quotas are ridiculous, makes officers go after people that may not be really commmitting a dangerous crime such as going 5 miles over the speed limit for example. It’s all about getting more money. If quotas were removed maybe more effort would be expended on more serious and dangerous people rather than the guy doing 5 over the speed limit.
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