NMA E-Newsletter #735: Walberg, Raskin Lead Bipartisan Effort to Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws
The National Motorists Association has, for some years now, been fighting to protect motorists from abusive Civil Asset Forfeiture laws. For those unaware of how this abuse of the public’s trust operates, Civil Asset Forfeiture allows police departments to seize assets such as cash, vehicles, houses and other valuables simply on the allegation that those assets […]
Asset Forfeiture Reporting Obscures Facts and Undermines Transparency
By Clay Wirestone, a guest columnist for the Kansas Reflector Editor’s Note: The Kansas Reflector recently investigated Kansas’ new database for civil asset forfeiture and found many irregularities. Even though this piece is Kansas-focused, the type of issues Wirestone describes, particularly the lack of accountability and transparency, are traits shared by CAF programs in many other states. […]
Civil Asset Forfeiture in Indiana Goes Beyond Policing for Profit: NMA E-Newsletter #701
Initially created to take down drug lords, civil asset forfeiture has morphed into an excuse by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to confiscate cash and other property regardless of whether a person is charged with a crime. The Indiana Supreme Court recently ruled that the government must prove it is ‘entitled’ to keep […]
Asset Forfeiture Reporting Obscures Facts and Undermines Transparency: NMA E-Newsletter #695
By Clay Wirestone, a guest columnist for the Kansas Reflector Editor’s Note: The Kansas Reflector recently investigated Kansas’ new database for civil asset forfeiture and found many irregularities. Even though this piece is Kansas-focused, the type of issues Wirestone describes, particularly the lack of accountability and transparency, are traits shared by CAF programs in many […]
What’s Up with Philly?
By Shelia Dunn, NMA Communications Director Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared as the cover story in the Winter 2022 Edition of the National Motorists Association’s quarterly magazine Driving Freedoms. If you would like to receive our magazine, please become a member of the NMA today! The City of Brotherly Love seems anything but when […]
Civil Asset Forfeiture—Still as Heinous as Ever
By Shelia Dunn, NMA Communications Director Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the Fall 2021 edition of NMA’s Driving Freedoms magazine. If you would like to receive this quarterly publication, become a member of the National Motorists Association today! Maine has now joined an illustrious club of states that have abolished civil asset forfeiture […]
An Eye on Recent Motorist Rights Court Cases, Part 1: NMA Weekly E-Newsletter #529
Motorist rights cases have made news and even history recently. There have been so many as of late, we are dedicating two separate newsletters to provide some insight on the legal rulings that are affecting drivers around the country. This week’s newsletter focuses on recent rulings and pending US Supreme Court and federal court cases. […]
NMA Principle Number 3: Freedom from arbitrary traffic stops and unwarranted searches/seizures
The Driving in America Blog was started a year ago to bring more information to those who are beginning their journey as motorists’ rights advocates. Over the next several months, I will be working with each of the seven NMA principles to give readers of this weekly blog some idea of what we all are working towards […]
Down the Rabbit Hole with Civil Asset Forfeiture: NMA E-Newsletter #494
As one of the NMA’s current national issues, Civil Asset Forfeiture or CAF is a program that allows the government at all levels to confiscate cash, cars and even homes from people who are suspected of criminal activity. Even if you are ruled innocent, your property is not necessarily returned; a trip to civil court […]
Civil Asset Forfeiture—Why should we care?
Originally created to break drug lords, civil asset forfeiture or CAF has now morphed into an anything-goes situation when it comes to law enforcement confiscating cash and property. Make no mistake, CAF is a constitutional rights issue. The Fourth Amendment protects not only a person’s right to privacy but freedom from arbitrary governmental intrusions. The […]