LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Two unlikely partners have paired up to press for the elimination of civil forfeiture laws.
The conservative-leaning Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the American Civil Liberties Union have teamed to produce a report, claiming that, under Michigan’s asset forfeiture laws, $272 million in property was seized during a 12-year period. They say seizures should only be permitted either after a conviction or not at all.
The allegation is that police will seize the property of a suspect, even if that person is never actually charged or convicted and not give it back without a court fight.
Attorney William Maze said letting the agencies that make the seizures keep the proceeds encourages abuse.
“There’s no real cap on what they can use this money for anymore,” Maze said. “It really is policing for profit.”
Since the dual report, Bill Schuette, the state’s attorney general, has gone on record supporting a seven-bill package of civil forfeiture reforms that have cleared the House and are sitting in committee in the Senate. They don’t propose elimination, but do urge more transparency.
– John McNeill
