Pubdate: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 2000 The Orange County Register Contact: P.O. Box 11626, Santa Ana, CA 92711 Fax: (714) 565-3657 Website: http://www.ocregister.com/ SENATE OK'S CURBS ON ASSET FORFEITURE The Senate passed legislation Monday that puts new curbs on the federal government's ability to seize private property suspected of being linked to crime. The voice vote in the Senate sends the asset-forfeiture bill to the House where it has the backing of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-Ill. The aim of the legislation is to alter a crime-fighting practice that has resulted in the seizure of hundreds of millions of dollars in property, mainly from suspected drug traffickers,but has also led to cases where innocent people are deprived of their homes, cars and boats. The legislation would shift the burden of proof in asset forfeiture cases from the property owner, where it now lies, to the government. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D