Crime Subcommittee to Examine Asset Forfeiture This Week
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m., the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Federal Asset Forfeiture: Uses and Reforms.” 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.
Members will also 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. Additionally, the Subcommittee will examine the concerns raised in a recent Justice Department Inspector General report about the Drug Enforcement Administration’s use of asset forfeiture during cold consent encounters.
Witnesses for Wednesday’s hearing are:
· Mr. Kenneth A. Blanco, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice
· Mr. Keith Henderson, Prosecuting Attorney for Floyd County, Indiana
· Ms. Darpana Sheth, Attorney, Institute for Justice
· Mr. David Smith, Smith Zimmerman, PLLC
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 hearing:
“Recent news reports have identified incidents that raise concerns about asset forfeiture and the standards and procedures by which certain forfeitures are undertaken. Last month, the Justice Department issued revised guidelines governing the circumstances under which state seizures will be ‘adopted’ by the federal government for forfeiture. This week, 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.”
Wednesday’s hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.