tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018073541417646773.post1914421348253948336..comments2024-03-28T18:11:29.865-04:00Comments on UNDERNEWS: Connecticut joins fair forfeiture statesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7018073541417646773.post-48320071946157725672017-07-14T07:30:35.222-04:002017-07-14T07:30:35.222-04:00It is a good first step but it needs to go further...It is a good first step but it needs to go further. <br /><br />Since the law still allows forfeitures based upon plea bargains or entry into diversionary programs, it is still defective. Prosecutors will now demand guilty pleas to minor offenses just to allow the state to seize properties. This is a real problem. There has been a long and ongoing erosion of Constitutional protections against vague criminal laws. Thus, it is now much easier to obtain convictions where nothing really "wrong" has been done. Prosecutors will leverage threat of convictions to vaguely written laws into plea bargains designed to cause forfeitures where no real social purpose is served by the forfeiture. The same thing will be true with the use of diversionary programs. The law should require a connection between a proven serious infraction of law and the seizure of the property, otherwise the abuse of forfeiture laws will continue. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com