Pubdate: Mon, 31 Aug 2015
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Khalid Alexander
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n475/a08.html

DUE PROCESS BEFORE SEIZURE NECESSARY

Regarding "Proposed law makes it easier to retain criminal assets" 
(Aug. 21): Seizure of assets of citizens who have not been convicted 
of a crime is no way to fund public safety.

If, as Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano's commentary claims, 
criminal forfeiture is an effective tool to disable "transnational 
criminal organizations," why hasn't it worked so far?

Rather than a tool to dismantle large criminal organizations, civil 
forfeiture feeds a criminal industrial complex where law enforcement 
is encouraged to run rogue and fund programs by any means necessary.

It is discouraging to see him advocate to dismantle a key principle 
of our country: rule of law.

Law enforcement, like all of us, must receive appropriate funding 
through the appropriate channels. The chiefs' opposition to SB 443 is 
a violation of our trust and an affront to the Constitution.

Khalid Alexander

San Diego
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom