Pubdate: Sat, 04 Mar 2000
Source: Everett Herald (WA)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/
Author:  Denice Sanders

FORFEITURE LAWS

Senate Can Pass Reforms

I encourage all readers to support Senate bill 1931 because it would
implement six positive reforms to the United States' disastrous
forfeiture statutes.

The bill would put the burden of proof on the government, rather than
the current law that requires people to prove that their property is
"innocent." The bill allows for the release of property pending final
disposition of a case, as opposed to causing innocent property owners
undue hardship while their cases are dragged through the federal court
system.

S. 1931 provides for reasonable attorney's fees for property owners
who win their case in court, as well as providing for the appointment
of legal counsel for some people who are too poor to afford their own.
The bill would eliminate the current cost-bond requirement. Why should
an otherwise law-abiding citizen have to pay $5,000 or 10 percent of
the value of property seized just to have the privilege of trying to
get his or her property back from the U.S. government? S. 1931 would
protect innocent property owners. If you honestly don't know about a
crime that was committed on your property, you should not have to
suffer at the hands of the government.

Finally, the bill would provide a remedy for property that is damaged
while in the government's custody. Currently - and amazingly - the
federal government is exempt from liability for damage caused during
the handling or storage of property!

Denice Sanders, Everett
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