• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Law enforcement took more stuff from people than burglars did last year

Dittohead not!

Dittohead not!

master political analyst
DP Veteran
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
52,009
Reaction score
33,944
Location
The Golden State
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Independent
[h=1]Law enforcement took more stuff from people than burglars did last year[/h]
imrs.php



Here's an interesting factoid about contemporary policing: In 2014, for the first time ever, law enforcement officers took more property from American citizens than burglars did. Martin Armstrong pointed this out at his blog, Armstrong Economics, last week.
Officers can take cash and property from people without convicting or even charging them with a crime — yes, really! — through the highly controversial practice known as civil asset forfeiture.
Click to expand...

So, why, you might wonder, is this in the Constitution thread and not in law enforcement? Well, it goes to this well trammeled bit of the Constitution:

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Click to expand...

That's why.
 
Dittohead not! said:
Damn. Someone beat me to it.

Anyway, how is it we, the people, allow this egregious violation of Constitutional rights to continue?
Click to expand...

How do you know that due process wasn't afforded? Asset forfeitures do go through a court of law.
 
X Factor said:
How do you know that due process wasn't afforded? Asset forfeitures do go through a court of law.
Click to expand...

The person whose property is being seized doesn't have to be even accused of a crime, let along indicted and convicted. How is that due process? It's legalized theft, and it's unconstitutional.
 
Dittohead not! said:
Damn. Someone beat me to it.

Anyway, how is it we, the people, allow this egregious violation of Constitutional rights to continue?
Click to expand...

No problem. I was just linking to more discussion.

There have been a few governors inking legislation to eliminate asset forfeiture. New Mexico and Utah come to mind.
 
Well, when you give incentive to take people's property (through a law intended for organized crime), and a disincentive through quotas of x number of arrests, tickets, etc...

I'm almost surprised it hasn't happened sooner.
 
Dittohead not! said:
Law enforcement took more stuff from people than burglars did last year

So, why, you might wonder, is this in the Constitution thread and not in law enforcement? Well, it goes to this well trammeled bit of the Constitution:



That's why.
Click to expand...

This has been out of control for a long time and it is getting worse.

Loretta Lynch Has No Problem With Civil Asset Forfeiture -- And That's A Problem
Forbes Welcome
In an editorial published November 22, “Loretta Lynch’s Money Pot,” the Wall Street Journal revealed that during her tenure as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ms. Lynch has used civil asset forfeiture in more than 120 cases, raking in some $113 million for federal and local coffers.
Click to expand...
 
Dittohead not! said:
Damn. Someone beat me to it.

Anyway, how is it we, the people, allow this egregious violation of Constitutional rights to continue?
Click to expand...

The people wanted it.

people do drugs! Make us safe!

WTC was bombed! make us safe!

so on and so forth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom