Pubdate: Sun, 13 Dec 2015
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Tony Ryan
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n690/a04.html

COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS NO IDEA HOW FORFEITURE LAWS PLAY OUT

As a retired police lieutenant, I can confidently say that Bill 
Montgomery fails to understand how civil forfeiture laws have played 
out in reality ( "Arizona won't seize your property unjustly"). 
Between 1997 and 2013, 87 percent of all assets seized were through 
civil forfeiture laws, meaning that nearly all instances occurred 
without requiring law enforcement to seek or obtain a conviction.

Even the original architects of civil forfeiture laws said last year, 
"The program began with good intentions but now, having failed in 
both purpose and execution, it should be abolished."

Mr. Montgomery said that civil forfeiture helps the community because 
funds go back to the community and are used as restitution for 
victims of crime, but $62 million in Arizona forfeiture funds were 
used to pay for benefits, salaries and overtime pay for law 
enforcement - 28 percent of forfeited funds.

This represents an obvious personal investment in maintaining civil 
forfeiture laws. Comparatively, the Arizona Criminal Justice 
Commission approved just over $4 million for "victim compensation and 
assistance." Arizona residents have a right to due process before our 
property is seized, and we have a right to know exactly how civil 
forfeiture funds are spent.

Lt. Tony Ryan (Ret.), Sahuarita
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom