Pubdate: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Copyright: 2016 The Baltimore Sun Company Contact: http://www.baltimoresun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37 Author: Neill Franklin Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n006/a03.html ASSET FORFEITURE REFORMS ARE NEEDED As someone who was once the state police commander of nine Maryland law enforcement drug task forces, including the Harford County Drug Task Force of which State's Attorney Joe Cassilly is a benefiting member, I find the recent commentary from him to be disingenuous and somewhat self-serving ("Why are Md. lawmakers itching to fund drug dealers?" Jan. 3). Mr. Cassilly's office not only benefits from seized assets, but according to his 2015 legislative testimony, he is the architect of Maryland's current civil asset forfeiture law. He has a vested interest in maintaining this problematic policy. Maryland's current policy goes completely against some of our basic constitutional rights, mainly the Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which contains our right to be free from government property seizure without due process. For this reason among many, these policies have undergone significant reform across this nation. It's time for Maryland to join other states and stand by its citizens. Yes, call your legislators and demand that they support the U.S. Constitution and safeguard our rights. Neill Franklin, White Hall - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom