The Institute for Justice has produced a study, Policing for Profit, which highlights the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws. Law enforcement agencies are empowered across the nation to seize and keep property suspected of involvement in criminal activity. Unlike criminal asset forfeiture, however, with civil forfeiture, a property owner need not be found guilty of a crime—or even charged—to permanently lose her cash, car, home or other property.


Most state laws are written in such a way as to encourage police agents to pursue profit instead of seeking the neutral administration of justice. The report grades each state and the federal government on its forfeiture laws and other measures of abuse. The results are appalling: Six states earned an F and 29 states and the federal government received a grade of D.


Institute for Justice has more on the report here, including a video showing the injustice created by these laws.


Cato is holding an event to highlight the findings of this report on Wednesday, April 28. Please join us for a discussion of policing, constitutional rights, and government accountability. You can register here.