Pubdate: Fri, 12 Sep 2014
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Sue Monahan
Page: A22
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n736/a08.html

FORFEITING RIGHTS ALONG WITH CASH

Law enforcement confiscation of personal property without due process 
is a deplorable practice, as is the use of fines and court fees to 
raise revenue to operate municipal governments.

When law enforcement and courts are invited to generate revenue to 
support operations, they run the risk of losing sight of their 
fundamental goal of ensuring quality of life for all. As The Post's 
reporting reveals, police and courts have become financially 
self-interested parties in our system to the detriment of justice. I 
hope that The Post's coverage leads to reflection about these 
practices and change that returns law enforcement and courts to their 
core missions.

Sue Monahan, Monmouth, Ore.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom