Minneapolis Star Tribune: It's time to fix the problems of civil forfeiture

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Converting to criminal forfeiture would end Minnesota’s unjust two-track system. Under criminal forfeiture the person and property are part of the same criminal proceeding. That means owners would not have to file a separate claim in civil court to begin the forfeiture process.

Abolishing civil forfeiture has earned support from across the political spectrum. Conservative organizations including Americans for Tax Reform, Freedom Works and the Faith & Freedom Coalition have joined with the ACLU, the Institute for Justice, the Justice Action Network and others in support of this reform.

The presumption of innocence is one of the most revered principles in our justice system. It’s time to end civil forfeiture and replace it with a law that both is tough on crime and safeguards constitutional rights.

http://www.startribune.com/it-s-time-to-fix-the-problems-of-civil-forfeiture/477146003/?refresh=true