HF 1971 Reform Forfeiture Process

Ends civil forfeitures and replaces the process with criminal forfeitures, so property and charges are handled together, rather than requiring people to file a separate civil action and hire a civil attorney to get their stuff back.

• Requires a criminal conviction before the government can take ownership of seized property and sell it off.
• Requires that profits from any seized items sold go into the state general fund, rather than into law enforcement budgets, ending the incentive to "police for profit."
• Allows defendants to challenge a seizure if the property or asset is worth more than the charged offense.
• Allows the owners of property who are not involved in the charges to more easily reclaim their seized property.