The Property and Evidence Tracking System (PETS) is the NYPD’s huge database where it stores ownership information on the millions in New Yorkers’ property it takes charge of every year (including about $68m in cash and counting), through evidence collection and asset forfeiture. (more…)
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NYPD has no backup for its seized property database, recording millions in annual seizures
California police departments’ license to steal cash from innocent people has been restricted, thanks to a new bill signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. Let’s hope the federal government follows suit. Nick Sibilla of The Institute for Justice says: Since 1994, California state law has required a criminal conviction before real estate, vehicles, boats and cash under $25,000 could be forfeited to the government. But those requirements are completely missing under federal law. So California police could instead partner with a federal agency, take the property under federal law, and reap up to 80 percent of the proceeds. To fix this, the new law requires a criminal conviction before agencies can receive forfeiture payments from the federal government on forfeited real estate, vehicles, boats and cash valued at under $40,000.
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California now requires conviction before civil asset forfeiture