Civil asset forfeiture has become a controversial issue in the United States. As it stands, law enforcement officials have the authority to seize assets such as cash when they have a reasonable cause to suspect that the asset in question has been involved in illegal...
When can the police seize your cash?
Many people think that when they are rightfully in the possession of cash, there's nothing anyone can do to legally take that away from them. While this is true in many cases, there are exemptions to every rule. In certain situations, the police have the legal right...
Surprising facts about civil asset forfeiture
The law surrounding civil asset forfeiture is surprising to many. They essentially make it possible for law enforcement officials to seize assets, from cash and jewelry to cars and homes, if there is a suspicion that the assets have been involved in a crime. Many...
How racial profiling and asset seizure go hand-in-hand
You've probably heard the phrase "driving while black" or a "DWB." It's code used among people of color for being pulled over by the police for a bogus traffic violation. The driver knows that the traffic violation is so slight or utterly fabricated and that he or she...
Will I be presumed to be a criminal if I carry stacks of cash?
There is nothing inherently wrong with hanging onto large amounts of cash. Some people have reservations about the banking system and would prefer to have their money where they can quickly access it. However, stacks of cash can be incorrectly linked to crime, and...
What is following too closely?
You know that the police are out there looking for reasons to stop drivers. You've heard that they often do it because they're hoping to seize cash and other assets from cars when they think that a drug sale may have happened. For instance, they find a minor reason to...
Report reveals the massive scale of asset forfeiture
Have you ever wondered just how many assets the government takes from citizens every year? Have you considered the value of those assets? If not, you may be surprised by what you find. This process is very extensive and can impact you greatly. Keep in mind that they...
An officer asks to look in your car. Can you say no?
You get pulled over driving through Alabama. The police talk to you for a few minutes. One officer stands by your window while the other walks around behind the car. You think they may be about to leave, but then one of the officers asks if they can just take a look...
What should you say to the police?
If the police want to talk to you about an alleged crime, what should you say? Maybe they pulled you over, found a large amount of cash in the car, and now they want to take the money because they think it came from a drug sale. As they go through the vehicle, one of...
Did the police have a right to pull you over?
The police pull you over on the highway in Alabama. They search your car, and they find a large amount of cash, which they claim came from drug sales. They seize the cash on the spot. You have a lot of questions about the legality of this practice, but it starts long...