Justice advocates say law enforcement agencies often 'abuse' the asset forfeiture law since it's classified as civil rather than criminal thus eliminating a person's right to an attorney.
seized in a Houston high-speed chase, in a social media post this week that went viral. Justice advocates responded, saying modifications to the state's longstanding civil asset forfeiture law are long overdue.
Valued at nearly $80,000, the high-powered sports car was awarded to DPS by a judge in January. This came after a felony investigation into the car's previous driver, who engaged in"dangerous street racing" on"well-populated" Houston streets and highways at speeds up to 160 miles per hour, according to a news release. The agency has since converted the car into a black and white Texas Highway Patrol vehicle, adding emergency lights and a police radio.adding fuel to the fire for critics who take issue with civil asset forfeiture — a tool law enforcement uses to seize property they believe has been or will be involved in a crime.in 2020, compared the practice to stealing."Who else but the government would steal someone's car, and then make a post to not only brag about it, but to threaten to steal more cars in the future," Cohen wrote. "And even worse, this car was likely stolen under civil asset forfeiture, which means its owner never even had a chance to prove their innocence in trial. The government just straight-up stole this car from its rightful owner, because they can."Others supported the seizure."I am glad the judge rendered it to DPS. We need more judges like him," Facebook user Mikel Crites wrote."Saves us tax dollars to purchase vehicles."On Wednesday, DPS officials described in a news release the chain of events that led to the seizure. According to DPS, an agency aircraft saw two vehicles speeding westbound on I-10 Gessner Road around midnight on April 25, 2021. The driver refused to stop, and troopers eventually stopped pursuing, noting it was"too dangerous to continue." The car eventually ran out of gas near I-10 and West Sam Houston Parkway, authorities said in a release. The driver fled, but was later captured. "In addition to an evading charge, the driver was arrested for the unlawful carrying of a weapon, a misdemeanor, after a loaded Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol was found in the front passenger seat," DPS stated in the release. When police seize a person's property, the responsibility falls on the owner to prove the property was"innocent," or not linked to a crime. Victims or their claimants may be eligible for compensation towards the replacement of seized property for crimes, butIf a person doesn't fight the seizure in court, which is what happens in the majority of cases, they automatically lose their property, says Gabriella McDonald, projects director for advocacy groupTexas law enforcement agencies rake in millions annually from forfeited funds whether there's a criminal charge or not. Just last year, the state cashed in nearly $34 million, according to
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