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Sky Harbor cash seizure undercuts 2017 police reform
The government already has shown a willingness to exploit loopholes, sidestepping the requirement to produce clear and convincing evidence. Property owners like Johnson will not be safe unless their rights are guaranteed with airtight language, and courts show a willingness to restrict policing for profit.
Civil asset forfeiture reform: A solution in search of a problem
If the Arizona Legislature wants to help drug cartels and organized crime, then heeding the Institute for Justice and establishing a “conviction first” statute for civil forfeiture is a great start. The only people such a measure will hurt are law abiding citizens, prosecutors and police officers. But drug dealers? They will absolutely love it.
Arizona earns D- for police moneymaking schemes
Police who patrol Arizona communities should focus on criminals, not cash. Current laws encourage the reverse, making everyone a potential ATM for cash-strapped agencies.
House panel approves measure to raise bar on forfeitures
State lawmakers are moving to erect new hurdles to protect individuals from having their property seized by the state. SB1556 would end the ability of prosecutors to be able to... […]
Funds sought to handle spike in border prosecutions
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is looking for a little help for its southern Arizona unit, which is swamped with cases from the Arizona Border Strike Force.
Judge rules civil forfeiture case can proceed, legality of state laws at issue
A federal judge on Aug. 18 gave the go-ahead for a broad-based challenge to Arizona statutes that allow police and prosecutors to profit from items they seize.
Law enforcement predicts seizures won’t be curbed by changes
Arizona law enforcement officials say landmark changes enacted this year to the state’s civil asset forfeiture program won’t do much to curb the ability of police to seize cash and property from those they suspect of breaking the law.
Arizona’s new civil forfeiture laws have little effect on lawsuit, plaintiff says
A Pima County woman contends changes to Arizona’s civil forfeiture laws will moot only one claim in her lawsuit filed against Pinal County officials.
Pinal County civil forfeiture suit heating up
A lawsuit central to the civil asset forfeiture debate in Arizona will see progress this month after months of stagnation.
Former Pima County deputy chief sentenced in RICO case
A former high-level commander with the Pima County Sheriff's Department was sentenced in federal court on Friday after pleading guilty in a case involving the illegal use of money seized from crime suspects.
Lawmakers OK bill tightening laws on civil asset forfeitures
The Arizona Legislature has passed legislation that would tighten policies on asset seizures, leaving it up to Gov. Doug Ducey to decide whether to overhaul the state's civil forfeiture laws.
County prosecutors leaning hard on governor to veto civil forfeiture bill
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is asking Gov. Doug Ducey to veto legislation to make it more difficult for him and other prosecutors to seize property unless changes are made in the measure.
