“Civil forfeiture” — perhaps that should be incivil forfeiture?
It is hard to believe that this is a law in America, but the police, if they so desire, can simply grab your property. You do not need to be convicted of a crime, or even charged with a crime. However, the police can threaten to charge you with a crime if you do not concede to forfeit your property. They can also threaten to hand over your children to social services if you do not concede to forfeit your property.
We are not making any of this up. It has all happened. Example: There is a court case, US v. $35,651.11. You guessed it. The “defendant” is money that the police demanded be forfeited. Demanded, specifically, of Terry Dehko and his daughter Sandy Thomas, owners of a grocery store in Fraser, Michigan.
Prosecutors claimed that Dehko and Thomas were laundering money — but they provided no evidence. None. The IRS, no less, had approved of the store’s accounting practices a year earlier. Prosecutors offered the store owners 20% — i.e., police take your money, then offer to close the case if you accept a mere 20% back. If you don’t accept the offer, they take all of your money. And charge you with no crime.
Is this America?
Dehko and Thomas are suing. Many law-abiding citizens around the country will be watching.
Oh, did we mention? The authorities who seize — i.e., steal — your money use it for their own purposes: new police cars, for example.
In a criminal conviction, the government can seize your property only after you have been convicted. If, however, you are merely suspected of a civil crime — suspected, not convicted, not even charged — they can seize your property immediately. You have no right to an immediate hearing. In short: Guilty until proven innocent. Is this America?
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
