Crime Subcommittee to Examine Asset Forfeiture in February
January 28, 2015
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m., the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on civil asset forfeiture. Members of the subcommittee will examine current asset forfeiture procedures and practices and the Justice Department’s recently revised guidelines issued governing the circumstances under which state seizures will be “adopted” by the federal government for forfeiture. Through adoption, the federal government “adopts” forfeitures made by state and local police departments. In return, federal authorities keep a portion of the proceeds and return a large portion of it to the local law enforcement that made the seizure.
Additionally, members will look at forfeiture policies recently reported on that have highlighted problems with civil asset forfeiture. These include innocent owners forfeiting their property, allegations of police targeting motorists with the hopes of finding cash to seize, and other systemic problems that warrant attention.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) issued the joint statement below on this upcoming hearing:
“Recent news reports have identified incidents that raise concerns about asset forfeiture and the standards and procedures by which certain forfeitures are undertaken. Earlier this month, the Justice Department issued revised guidelines governing the circumstances under which state seizures will be ‘adopted’ by the federal government for forfeiture. In two weeks, the Crime Subcommittee will examine the issues surrounding asset forfeiture and the Justice Department’s new guidelines. Additionally, we will continue our oversight and analysis of this issue to determine what reforms will work best to prevent abuse.”
As of Fiscal Year 2013, the Department of Justice took in over $2 billion dollars from forfeiture, both civil and criminal. About 3% of all federal forfeitures came from adoptions of state or local action.
Additionally, members will look at forfeiture policies recently reported on that have highlighted problems with civil asset forfeiture. These include innocent owners forfeiting their property, allegations of police targeting motorists with the hopes of finding cash to seize, and other systemic problems that warrant attention.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) issued the joint statement below on this upcoming hearing:
“Recent news reports have identified incidents that raise concerns about asset forfeiture and the standards and procedures by which certain forfeitures are undertaken. Earlier this month, the Justice Department issued revised guidelines governing the circumstances under which state seizures will be ‘adopted’ by the federal government for forfeiture. In two weeks, the Crime Subcommittee will examine the issues surrounding asset forfeiture and the Justice Department’s new guidelines. Additionally, we will continue our oversight and analysis of this issue to determine what reforms will work best to prevent abuse.”
As of Fiscal Year 2013, the Department of Justice took in over $2 billion dollars from forfeiture, both civil and criminal. About 3% of all federal forfeitures came from adoptions of state or local action.