Abolishing Civil Forfeiture: Property Rights Restored and Policing for Profit Ended.
This Act completely ends the practice of Civil Asset Forfeiture, meaning the government cannot permanently take your property (cash, car, or home) unless you are criminally convicted. It shifts the burden of proof entirely onto the state, requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the property is linked to a crime. Crucially, it removes the financial incentive for law enforcement by prohibiting them from keeping forfeiture proceeds.
Key points
Criminal Conviction Required: Property can only be forfeited after the owner is convicted of a crime, and the property is proven to be the instrument or proceeds of that crime.
End of Profit Motive: Law enforcement agencies are banned from using forfeiture proceeds to supplement their budgets; all funds must go to the state's General Fund or Public Education.
Prompt Return: If criminal charges are not filed within 30 days or result in acquittal, seized property must be returned to the owner within 5 business days.
Closing Federal Loophole: State agencies are prohibited from transferring seized assets to federal agencies to bypass these new state protections.
Initiative
Citizen Poll