Unveiling the Government's Legal Tactics: A Lawyer's Perspective on Property Rights
The federal government is accused of waging war on Americans and their property through the complex and confusing process of civil asset forfeiture, according to attorney Dan Alban from the Institute for Justice. Civil asset forfeiture allows the government to seize money or property suspected of being linked to criminal activity without charging or convicting the owner. The burden of proof falls on the property owner, making it difficult and expensive to fight for the return of seized assets. State and federal agencies have a profit incentive to seize property, as the proceeds go into their coffers. The process is criticized for lacking due process and discouraging property owners from fighting back due to high legal costs. The FAIR Act, which aims to overhaul federal civil asset forfeiture laws, has been introduced but has not yet passed.