Civil asset forfeiture enables law enforcement agencies to seize cash, bank accounts, houses, cars, or any form of private property they claim may be used to commit a crime or represents profits from criminal activity.
It was intended as a tool to combat organized crime. However lack of regulation, and the fact that police departments retain seized property to use at their discretion, has lead to a severe abuse of the system.
All seized property is presumed guilty, and the owner is required to proved that it was not used for criminal activity. The legal fees alone in a civil asset forfeiture proceeding can easily cost $20,000 or more.
We request that the Obama Administration add Civil Forfeiture Reform to its platform. We wish to see the president publicly address the issue.