But not enough, in my opinion. Any process that allows the state to seize your property without compensation or without charges being filed (let alone proven in court) is, if not unconstitutional, highly unethical.
The corrosive effect of such laws is demonstrated by the arguments being levied against this reform act. The concerns expressed are not "This removes a tool to keep criminals from enjoying the ill-gotten gain of their crimes" but "Hey, we really, really need the money that comes from that!"
That points to a very different issue to argue over (funding of state and municipal police forces) and how to make it happen. If those bodies are endangered because they can't easily swipe stuff from people they think might be guilty of something, then we have a more systemic problem with how we fund our government.
Gov. Hickenlooper signs controversial civil asset forfeiture bill, calls it “important first step” in addressing problems with practice
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Friday signed into law a controversial bill that alters how state law enforcement seize money and property suspected of being linked to crime, splitting with Colorado sher…
That was an unfortuitous posture to be in when the shutter clicked.
Huzzah! Considering that on Colorado Matters Thursday he was saying he was going to Veto it, glad he decided to do the right thing.
Now to persuade the congress critters to pass it at the federal level.