civil forfeiture

A recent ruling in Pennsylvania court dealt a blow to the practice of civil asset forfeiture. Here today to talk about it is Caroline Grace Brothers (ij.org), Constitutional Law Fellow at the Institute for Justice. She describes the case where a reporter wanted to obtain names of property auction winners to determine if there was an asset seizure for profit scam happening. Courts ruled in his favor but the powers that be refused to give up the names. That is, until the highest court in the state also ruled in his favor. A precedent has now been set that could put a significant check on the civil asset forfeiture system. John finishes up today's podcast detailing the reasons why civil asset forfeiture is unconstitutional and can be easily abused.