Jeff Sessions Announces Justice Department Will Increase Asset Forfeiture

[EasyAce]

“No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime,” Sessions says of law that lets police take cash without charging anyone with a crime.
By C.J. Ciaramella
http://reason.com/blog/2017/07/17/sessions-announces-justice-department-wi/print

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department will issue new directives to increase the federal
govenment's use of civil asset forfeiture, a controversial practice that allows law enforcement to seize property from
suspected criminals without charging them with a crime.

Speaking at a National District Attorneys Association conference in Minneapolis Monday, Sessions said state and local law
enforcement could expect changes from U.S. Attorneys in several areas: increased prosecution of gun crimes, immigration
offenses, gang activity, and prescription drug abuse, as well as increased asset seizure by the federal government.

"[W]e hope to issue this week a new directive on asset forfeiture—especially for drug traffickers," Sessions said. "With care
and professionalism, we plan to develop policies to increase forfeitures. No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds
of their crime. Adoptive forfeitures are appropriate as is sharing with our partners" . . .

. . . Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), a consistent Republican advocate for reforming asset forfeiture laws, said in a statement to Reason
Monday: "As Justice Thomas has previously said, there are serious constitutional concerns regarding modern civil asset
forfeiture practices. The Department has an obligation to consider due process constraints in crafting its civil asset forfeiture
policies."

Lee was referring to conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' notable dissent in an asset forfeiture case this June.
Thomas wrote that forfeiture operations "frequently target the poor and other groups least able to defend their interests in
forfeiture proceedings" . . .

. . . Sessions' upcoming directive to increase asset forfeiture comes as little surprise. Sessions, a former prosecutor and U.S.
senator, has been a stalwart defender of asset forfeiture throughout his career. He has already dismantled Obama-era directives
on drug sentencing guidelines and ordered a review of all of the existing consent agreements between the Justice Department
and police departments that were found to be violating residents' constitutional rights.

Another Republican critic of asset forfeiture, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, tweeted Monday that "This policy takes us backward.
Congress must step up to protect the property of Americans from a government that keeps stealing from them."

#CluelessJeff strikes again.

[Cripplecreek]

Thank God my state has been making civil asset forfeiture harder.

[DB]

And this was the core reason I could not support Sessions as AG.

This is no minor thing.

It is big government run amok violating the basic principles of our constitution.

[INVAR]

A billion dollar criminal industry under the color of law was just green-lit to go full tilt.

I imagine once the Dems regain control - this will be a wonderful mechanism to truly 'redistribute wealth' if the GOP doesn't beat them to the game and call firsts on the dibs.

[EasyAce]

And this was the core reason I could not support Sessions as AG.

This is no minor thing.

You and me both

It is big government as the nation's largest organised crime family, run amok violating the basic principles of our constitution.

Fixed! ;)

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

“No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime,” Sessions says

I wholeheartedly agree.  No government should be able to steal the assets of its citizens.

[Smokin Joe]

No Conviction for a crime you don't get a dime. EFF you, Sessions and your thieves.
14th Amendment

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

5th Amendment

...nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;

Just up and deciding you're going to take sh*t is not "Due Process of Law".

It's robbery under color of law.

Just ripping people off might get someone shot.

[Frank Cannon]

I can't tell if Session is the most corrupt or just the stupidest AG we have ever had. His advancing of issues like this is appalling. Time for congress to get a set of balls and tell Sessions this phony bullshit seizing assets without due process ends now.

[EasyAce]

I can't tell if Session is the most corrupt or just the stupidest AG we have ever had.

Yes.

Time for congress to get a set of balls . . .

You do believe in miracles!

[INVAR]

I can't tell if Session is the most corrupt or just the stupidest AG we have ever had. His advancing of issues like this is appalling. Time for congress to get a set of balls and tell Sessions this phony bullshit seizing assets without due process ends now.

He is not stupid so let's go with the former and add that he is saddled with the same hubris and despotism-prone zealotry most of the rest of our government "representatives" have.

Just Google the instances of the millions upon millions this asset forfeiture "industry" is netting for law enforcement.  Cops are just become Highwaymen with this policy and they are happy and eager to get in on the share.

This is a hell of a lot more direct and dangerous than even failing to repeal ObamaCare.

[Frank Cannon]

This is a hell of a lot more direct and dangerous than even failing to repeal ObamaCare.

I'll say, and just like Zerocare congress will do nothing. AF will only be eliminated by a ruling from the Supreme Court which looks hopeful.

[anubias]

Sessions is out of his GD mind.   

[DB]

This isn't anything new with Sessions and it should have disqualified him from ever being appointed the chief law enforcement officer.

It is fundamentally wrong and in direct conflict with the constitution. These actions give conservatives a very bad name and have long lasting consequences.

[Cripplecreek]

So where does Trump stand on this since nobody seems to want to ask?

[DCPatriot]

So where does Trump stand on this since nobody seems to want to ask?

LOL!   Must be a 'plot'...to grab the drug cartel $$$ for "The Wall".

[Oceander]

Thank God my state has been making civil asset forfeiture harder.

So now they'll simply get the Feds involved in some minor way so the Feds can seize assets and then "share" them with their "partners" in your local law enforcement. 

[Oceander]

So where does Trump stand on this since nobody seems to want to ask?

Since he is wholeheartedly in favor of taking by condemnation for private use, he's almost certainly in favor of this as well. 

[Sanguine]

So where does Trump stand on this since nobody seems to want to ask?

Well, the AG that he  fought for and got appointed is the one making the statement on civil asset stealing.

[catfish1957]

“No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime,” Sessions says of law that lets police take cash without charging anyone with a crime.

Must be a tough job.  6 months in and Sessions has already started Crack.

[Cripplecreek]

So now they'll simply get the Feds involved in some minor way so the Feds can seize assets and then "share" them with their "partners" in your local law enforcement.

More likely they'll fight against federal involvement. Michigan has been pretty good about resisting the feds in recent years like refusing to enforce or collect fines for breaking federal regulatory laws that no layman has a reasonable expectation of knowing.

[Cripplecreek]

Since he is wholeheartedly in favor of taking by condemnation for private use, he's almost certainly in favor of this as well.

Oddly enough, where John Roberts stood on eminent domain was the question I had and was roundly attacked for at the time of his nomination. I was called a democrat for asking the same question of Gorsuch.

[driftdiver]

No Conviction for a crime you don't get a dime. EFF you, Sessions and your thieves.
14th Amendment
5th Amendment
Just up and deciding you're going to take sh*t is not "Due Process of Law".

It's robbery under color of law.

Just ripping people off might get someone shot.

That hasn't been true since Bush I.  They take what they want, when they want and will punish you if you complain.   

[INVAR]

That hasn't been true since Bush I.  They take what they want, when they want and will punish you if you complain.

You  know..... our forefathers went to war with their tyrannical government over much, much less.

I guess we are willing to suffer evil, because evils are sufferable rather than abolish the form to which we have all become accustomed.

[Smokin Joe]

That hasn't been true since Bush I.  They take what they want, when they want and will punish you if you complain.

Ruby Ridge happened under Bush 1. Waco started under Bush1 (Surveillance and planning), Clinton (Reno) just finished it. https://www.texasobserver.org/the-standoff-in-waco/

You are right that this has been going on for quite a while. That does not make it right.

[Free Vulcan]

You got intelligence leaks and whole agencies defying the President, all sorts of other liberal shenanigans, and this is what you do with your position Sessions? Completely tone deaf and Constitutionally wrong.