Pubdate: Sun, 14 Apr 2002
Source: Eastside Journal (WA)
Copyright: 2000 Horvitz Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.eastsidejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/985
Author: David M. Schwartz

I-784

Reform Of Law Needed

Signatures are now being collected for Initiative 784, which seeks to 
reform the state's civil asset forfeiture law.

Asset forfeiture, as practiced in the United States since the 1980s, has 
great potential for government abuse against citizens least able to defend 
themselves. Your property is guilty until proven innocent.

I'm all for taking assets as part of the punishment after a person is found 
guilty of a crime, but civil asset forfeiture neither requires a conviction 
nor that a person even be charged with a crime. I will sleep better at 
night if I-784 becomes law.

David M. Schwartz

Redmond
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens