tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post8512635195550072768..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Take the profit motive out of asset forfeitureGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5247091472344746962009-07-06T06:36:59.986-05:002009-07-06T06:36:59.986-05:00Some serious measures to be taken in order to main...Some serious measures to be taken in order to maintain law and order.<br /><br />If everyone will be allowed to work his way then it will help no one.ASSEThttp://tradeyourasset.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-15820423629083589132009-02-13T10:46:00.000-06:002009-02-13T10:46:00.000-06:00I know one thing,you don't want to ask the folks i...I know one thing,you don't want to ask the folks in Randall County( Amarillo) Texas, where the seizure $ forfieture money goes or how it's being spent, not publically anyway. It makes all the big boy's real nervous, and they'll go to most any length's to make sure you don't bring it up again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70974061891823149302009-02-11T19:46:00.000-06:002009-02-11T19:46:00.000-06:00Well just dont come up highway 287 north towards A...Well just dont come up highway 287 north towards Amarillo,(Wilbarger,Hardeman,Childress counties) you'll find out just how easy and often the drug seizures occur.Nice new car-you fit the profile, out of state tags-you fit the profile, tinted windows-you fit the profile, nonwhite-you fit the profile,even white-you fit the profile! You will be happy to see the shiny new police cars and all that equipment your gonna help pay for. Infact I was stopped and before the deputy could tell me "a suspicious smell was coming from my car" the second unit with the drug dog was already pulling up. Sadly for these guys I refused to be searched and had the video camera running the entire time. Over an hour later of quoting the 4th amendment(look it up)and teaching deputy barney fife about probable cause my family was allowed to leave. But I was given a word of friendly advice "never bring my brown ass thru there again".I was followed by deputys thru the next two counties but not pulled over. This really happened in 2001 in Wilbarger county. I think back about this and oft times recall those wonderful lyrics "Fuck the police!".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85034326558661966562009-02-11T16:38:00.000-06:002009-02-11T16:38:00.000-06:00Here's an AWESOME idea. Take the forfeitures and ...Here's an AWESOME idea. Take the forfeitures and invest in something truly worth while. Have the money gained go into 100% drug education and prevention. Guns and cars are easy.. Fight the 'war' on the level of educating the kids and young adults.<BR/><BR/>The sorriest thing we do with the drug money is use it finance another failed attempt at 'War on .." How about Peace for once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45049579819753333422009-02-11T08:26:00.000-06:002009-02-11T08:26:00.000-06:00I take it there is no end of year reporting to the...I take it there is no end of year reporting to the feds as to how the agency spent the money?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2646762643422189672009-02-11T08:08:00.000-06:002009-02-11T08:08:00.000-06:00To: 7:57Under federal guidelines, 20% stays with t...To: 7:57<BR/><BR/>Under federal guidelines, 20% stays with the FEDs however the sharing has to go to say a police department; a state's attorney's office; etc but used for law enforcement purposes. A law enforcement purpose is the only requirement and I doubt that most states even know that departments, agencies, etc are storing this cash. <BR/><BR/>I don't see how State law can supercede this requirement but it allows Chiefs, heads of departments; DA's and other office heads to control it which is even worse. A drug law enforcement purpose can be exaggerated to pay for a two week interdiction school for 24 cops in lets say Las Vegas. HMMMMMMMMM. <BR/><BR/>The Drug Asset forfeiture fund at the federal level will one day be the Bernie Madoff of Law Enforcement. No one knows what's out there; how it's being spent; and some of it may be paying off home mortgages. <BR/><BR/>Someone on this blog will no doubt tout the strict requirements of getting it; using it; and accountability. Remember, the accountability rests with the U.S. Government; just like the SEC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32461400118237161322009-02-11T07:57:00.000-06:002009-02-11T07:57:00.000-06:00To 6:45Under state statute, awarded money does not...To 6:45<BR/><BR/>Under state statute, awarded money does not go into the general fund where it can be controlled by city councils/county commissioners.<BR/><BR/>Is there something similar under federal guidelines? If there is no similar language, look for this to make a difference should local agencies decide to attempt to file their seizures with the feds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20466379332112501172009-02-11T06:45:00.000-06:002009-02-11T06:45:00.000-06:00Asset forfeiture is the mother of all drug evils. ...Asset forfeiture is the mother of all drug evils. Change it and you'll see a change in the way all drug law enforcement does business.<BR/><BR/>Two things. Even if States do away with giving the proceeds to State and local agencies; the FEDS can adopt forfeitures. They give back 80% and FED adoption was the norm in the 90's until the States got their own. Watch out for that very popular alternative. <BR/><BR/>Second; even if you can't change it all together; change the percentages. For example; suggest that 20% be kept by law enforcement statewide and the rest go for treatment, education, etc. Politicians are always looking for a way not to piss off the police and recucing the amounts is not as unpopular as elimenation. <BR/><BR/>Finally, if states change asset forfeiture laws; states will send more officers to Federal task forces to feed from the federal cash farm. DEA, FBI, etc will deputize them and they get a percentage of everything the Task Force seizes. <BR/><BR/>HIDTA is the last option but it's funding is becoming obsolete.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55684834030772955642009-02-11T06:27:00.000-06:002009-02-11T06:27:00.000-06:00Good point, Michael. You know me, always covering ...Good point, Michael. You know me, always covering the behind of bad DAs. ;)Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-700026117983348052009-02-10T23:07:00.000-06:002009-02-10T23:07:00.000-06:00Damn it to hell, Scott! You talk about the Shelby...Damn it to hell, Scott! You talk about the Shelby County District Attorney getting away with extortion and highway robbery, without so much as a sanction from the State Bar, but you never mention HER NAME!!! Is there some reason you can't tell us that Linda K. Russell is the bar-card-carrying enabler of this gang of highway bandits?Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06800907780727476826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47855316558620250322009-02-10T20:32:00.000-06:002009-02-10T20:32:00.000-06:00At the very least, forfeiture should be prohibited...At the very least, forfeiture should be prohibited absent a conviction.TxBluesManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008395777633969757noreply@blogger.com