"Texas Lawsuit Targets Police and Prosecutors' Cash Seizures in 'Legal Theft' Battle"

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Harris County in Texas, alleging that law enforcement regularly seizes cash and cars from individuals who have never been convicted of a crime. The lawsuit argues that Harris County has one of the most abusive forfeiture programs in the country, with police specifically targeting cash and cars for seizure. The case stems from a 2019 traffic stop where a deputy seized a trucker's life savings, alleging it could be connected to criminal activity. Critics argue that civil asset forfeiture is a form of "legal theft" and that police and prosecutors often abuse the practice. The lawsuit seeks to challenge the seizure practices and the financial incentives that allow law enforcement to keep 100% of forfeiture proceeds.