Belt Auction

What do you think of "civil asset forfeiture"... consider the following scenario?

Guy gets caught by police with supposedly stolen tires in his car. He not only gets charged with felony theft (felony because the tires were worth more than one thousand dollars), but he also gets his car permantly taken never to be returned by the police so they can sell it at a police auction or use it for the local police dept. in undercover operations. Right or Wrong? Keep in mind, the issue is NOT whether he should be punished for stealing the tires, because I think he should do jail time for that, but the issue is should taking a person's property be a part of the punishment AND if you think so, should their property be taken even IF they are found NOT guilty of the crime that started this whole thing- under the guise of "civil asset forfeiture?" This is not some made up scenario, this is the law as it exists today (I seen this happen with my own two eys).... is this police action right or wrong (not legally justifiable, but morally right or wrong)?

Public Comments

1. I don't agree with it, unless it was 100% proven that all of the monies this person earned to pay for his vehicle were obtained unlawfully. It reminds me of the police crushing the cars of persons who were caught street racing. People make mistakes and I don't think it's right for authorities to take and destroy someone else's property that way. Lots of police action is morally wrong and unjustifiable.
2. I think this is the way forfeiture laws work. - which is crazy & designed to destroy the individual. I think the fundamental problem with this is that it makes Police Departments EXTREMELY CORRUPTIBLE as well as making the person charged RESENT the law as opposed to RESPECTing the law. People have had their properties stolen off them by Police Depts simply because their kids (not the owners) decided to grow a marijuana plant down the far end of the yard.- "Sorry sir - You've lost the house - hmmm....but the proceeds should get the department our new chopper" Cases like this are clearly an abuse of power with no societal benefit whatsoever. So while I think it is legally fine, it is actually completely morally & ethically corrupt.