To protect citizens from unlawful persecution and preserve their privacy, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits unlawful searches and seizures. Police officers are human, and they sometimes make mistakes or become overzealous when obtaining evidence...

You may have seen on the news that marijuana laws have changed in much of the United States and Canada in recent years. Many states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes -- though there are still restrictions on how to buy it and how much can be...

Civil asset forfeiture is notorious for being a questionable way for law enforcement officials to seize property. Law enforcement officials have the right to seize assets that they have reasonable cause to suspect have been involved in a crime. Most commonly, civil...

It's unfortunately common for people to be pulled over for very minor reasons only to have their vehicle searched and assets seized. Civil asset forfeiture is a surprising law that allows police officers to seize assets if they have a reasonable suspicion that they...

Alabama is one of the worst states where a cash seizure can happen. State lawmakers claim that their existing asset forfeiture policy is critical to helping put an end to drug trafficking in the state. Some critics of Alabama's approach is more about law enforcement...

When you hear about police officers seizing cash and other assets from civilians, a contentious practice that they often try to blame on alleged drug sales, you may find yourself thinking that the best way to avoid this is to avoid contact with the officers in the...

Imagine working hard all your life to finally save up enough to purchase your first home or a coveted business all in cash. The freedom to act and operate without the restrictions of a mortgage can be enticing for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. But in particular,...

Here's a quick point to note about state and federal law enforcers' enthusiastic support of the seizure tactic known as asset forfeiture: Proponents from Alabama to Alaska can talk all day about how valuable the practice is. In doing so, they extol the great service...

How can an inanimate object be guilty of a crime? If you think the idea sounds absurd, you aren't alone. However, that's the logic behind asset forfeiture laws. Under the laws, your house, car, money, jewelry and just about any other possession you own can be guilty...

You know that the police can legally seize your assets via a process known as asset forfeiture in Alabama. Maybe they have already done it. They claimed you committed a crime and took the assets due to their alleged connection to that crime. One of the many things...