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Forfeiture reforms move closer to becoming law
Without a single dissent, state senators approved changes Monday in Arizona laws designed to sharply curb the ability of prosecutors and police to seize property.
Head of police association says rioting bill won’t chill rights to protest
The head of the Arizona Police Association is rejecting arguments that legislation to include rioting in racketeering and conspiracy statutes will chill the rights of Arizonans to protest.
Wary of abuse, lawmakers move to tighten civil forfeiture laws
A wide-ranging measure to reform the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws would scrap the current standard that requires prosecutors to prove only by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the property is linked to a crime. That standard essentially means it is more likely than not, akin to a 51-49 percent balance.
Civil forfeiture reform splits long-time allies, united some foes
The 15-year-long “bromance” between Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery may have come to a crushing end right around Valentine’s Day.
Prosecutors prepare to fight civil forfeiture reforms
Members of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council spoke frankly about their strategy for killing a bill proposed by Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe of Flagstaff during a recent meeting to discuss possible law enforcement related bills. Thorpe has said his goal is to add transparency and accountability in the civil forfeiture laws.
Seized assets mean big money for Arizona law enforcement
Arizona law enforcement agencies have spent more than $57 million since 2008 through a federal program granting money and other property seized from those suspected of crimes, a Cronkite News review found.
