Scope of Forfeiture

The size and scope of forfeiture make the problem impossible to dismiss. Our data show forfeiture is widespread across all levels of government, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue every year. Our data also provide insights into how police and prosecutors approach forfeiture, showing that currency is the most common property type forfeited and that governments will typically pursue property via civil proceedings that make forfeiture easier for them, as opposed to criminal ones that provide greater protection to property owners. And despite the voluminous data we collected, in many jurisdictions, data availability and quality remain limited, hindering transparency and accountability.