Pubdate: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 Source: Orange County Register, The (CA) Copyright: 2015 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321 Author: Daniel S. Llorens FIND OTHER WAYS TO REFORM ASSET FORFEITURE Law enforcement professionals throughout California are urging our Legislature to look elsewhere in its efforts to reform asset forfeiture; Senate Bill 443 is not the answer. SB443 would require a criminal conviction before officials could seize the assets of criminal organizations. These sophisticated, deadly and, yes, profitable enterprises make their enormous profits running guns and drugs as well as human trafficking. Requiring a conviction prior to the seizure of assets would allow these groups to hide money while law enforcement struggles to play "catch up." It rewards the potential profitability of their efforts and would no doubt embolden money launderers. State law already allows for ample due process for persons and their assets suspected of being involved in criminal activity. As a police chief, I am greatly concerned that SB443 would create a pathway for these transnational criminal organizations to become infinitely more profitable. I urge a "No" vote on SB443. Daniel S. Llorens Fountain Valley Chief of police - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom