Civil forfeiture is the action of police seizing property or money based on suspicions of criminal intent. Police can seize a citizen's house, cars, money or any form of property without even charging the citizen with a crime. Some police departments are eligible to keep 80-100% of assets seized. Any assets seized are considered guilty unless proven innocent in a court of law. This is particularity problematic for those who cannot afford thousands in legal fees or who's assets are worth less than the legal fees to get their property back. This formula incentives the police to seize citizens assets, and target those who cannot afford to fight to get them back.



