Forfeiting Justice
Texas law gives police and prosecutors generous rewards for seizing people’s property—without even having to prove the owner committed any crime. And the law makes it so hard for owners to fight for the return of their property that many give up without even trying. As Forfeiting Justice shows, Texas law enforcement agencies have increasingly profited from this power of “civil forfeiture.”
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Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
The Government Took Nearly $1.4 Million From a Kentucky Business and Wants to Keep It Forever. It Still Won’t Say Why.
The Case If you have ever pulled cash from an ATM or spent U.S. dollars in Mexico, you may have crossed paths with Steven Bailey’s business without knowing it. His company,…
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Phoenix-area small business files federal lawsuit after federal agents raid business, seize money
The Case On the morning of Feb. 25, 2025, Mario Ayala was in Mexico visiting his dying father. Unfortunately, Mario had to cut that trip short. The reason? Federal agents…
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Family Jewelry Business Fights Back to End Predatory Civil Forfeitures at Indianapolis FedEx Hub
Henry and Minh Cheng, who run a wholesale jewelry business, are fighting Indiana to keep money a customer sent them through FedEx. Indiana police seized the money and prosecutors are trying to take it through civil forfeiture without saying what the couple did wrong.
Related Reports
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Policing for Profit: First Edition
Policing for Profit, 1st Edition Published in 2010, this is an older edition of IJ’s landmark Policing for Profit report. You can download the report here, but please see the fourth and current edition for the most…
