Groups to the left and right of the political spectrum are calling for changes in the way Michigan police seize and keep property as evidence. Current State examines civil forfeiture reforms.
Like many states, Michigan allows law enforcement agencies to seize property from people who are thought to be involved in criminal activity, even if charges or convictions do not follow. If they want their property back, they have to take it up in civil court, even if they are never charged with a crime.
An expanding effort to change civil forfeiture laws is afoot, and it’s led by a coalition of groups that usually don’t share outlooks.
A new report jointly authored and published by the conservative-leaning Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the liberal-leaning American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan says that Michigan’s laws on forfeiture are some of the worst in the nation, and they are pushing for change.
Current State talks with a co-author of that study, Jarrett Skorup of the Mackinac Center.