Policing for Profit: The Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture

The Cato Institute invites you to Policing for Profit: The Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture featuring Scott Bullock, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice and Marian R. Williams, Department of Government and Justice Studies, Appalachian State University. The event features comments by Scott Burns, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association, and it is moderated by Tim Lynch, Director, Project on Criminal Justice, Cato Institute. Under state and federal law, police departments can seize and keep property that is suspected of involvement in criminal activity. Unlike criminal asset forfeiture, however, with civil forfeiture, a property owner need not be found guilty of a crime—or even charged—to permanently lose her cash, car, home, or other property. And according to a new report published by the Institute for Justice, “Policing for Profit: The Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture,” most state laws are written in such a way as to encourage police agents to pursue profit instead of seeking the neutral administration of justice. The report grades each state and the federal government on its forfeiture laws and other measures of abuse. The results are appalling: Six states earned an F and 29 states and the federal government received a grade of D. Please join us for a discussion of policing, constitutional rights, and government accountability. Luncheon to follow. Note: Cato Policy Forums and luncheons are free of charge. To register, visit www.cato.org, fax (202) 371-0841, or call (202) 789-5229 by noon, Tuesday, April 27. News media inquiries only (no registrations), please call (202) 789-5200. If you can't make it to the Cato Institute, watch this Forum live online at www.cato.org.