Smart Talk: Do civil forfeiture laws need reform?

 

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, June 24, 2015:

When police and other law enforcement agencies began seizing the assets of criminals 30 years ago, it seemed like a great idea.

Confiscating cash, houses, vehicles, and other assets that police departments could keep or sell appeared to be a valuable tool to shut down drug kingpins while finding a resource to fight crime.

And civil asset forfeiture has been just that for many police departments and law enforcement agencies.

However, there are those who believe civil forfeiture has gone too far.  They say the Constitutional rights of innocent people have been trampled on and that police have a financial incentive to seize property even if it belongs to people, who may not have participated in illegal activities but have ties to someone who did.

That’s why Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) is proposing changes to civil forfeiture laws that would only allow the practice when the owner of the assets has been convicted of a crime.

Wednesday’s Smart Talk investigates civil assets forfeiture with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the incoming president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and Harrisburg attorney Marc Scaringi, who has campaigned for reforms.