Articles Tagged with Police confiscation

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I talk to the police?”

We have discussed civil asset forfeiture before and how there is growing consensus around the country that the practice has many negatives and unfairly impacts those who are already among the most vulnerable. The system enriches local law enforcement departments, allowing them to seize the personal property of individuals who may never be charged with a criminal offense. Critics have long complained about the practice and those complaints seem to finally be catching the attention of lawmakers empowered to pass meaningful reforms.

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Do I need to hire an attorney if I have been falsely accused?”

A man from North Carolina had a firsthand experience with neighboring South Carolina’s sweeping civil forfeiture law and is now suing to try and recover the property that he says was unjustifiably taken from him. The case illustrates a broader concern about the way law enforcement authorities in South Carolina and elsewhere use generous civil forfeiture laws to pad their bank accounts. Critics say the forfeitures are more about profit than protecting local communities and are calling for action to draw limits on when and how the laws can be used.

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