US Justice Department Bans Local, State Police From Using Federal Civil Forfeiture Program

The United States Department of Justice announced Friday that local and state law enforcement can no longer use federal programs to seize the assets of those believed to have committed a crime without conviction.

The Washington Post reports the move would “prohibit federal agency adoptions of state and local seizures, except for public safety reasons,” such as illegal firearms, explosives and property associated with child pornography, per outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. Cash and vehicle seizures by said authorities, made under the oft-abused War on Drugs Era Equitable Sharing asset forfeiture program, can now only be made under state law.

The federal program had become a boon to local enforcement over the years, netting $2.5 billion in assets from citizens without warrants or indictments since September 11, 2001. Once the assets were in possession, they would be used to acquire items such as military-grade equipment and premium vehicles, all without much oversight.

Despite criticism from those affected and their supporters — believing the new policy would hinder legitimate efforts to fight drug trafficking and terrorism — Holder says the policy “will ensure that these authorities can continue to be used to take the profit out of crime and return assets to victims, while safeguarding civil liberties,” adding that even the federal government has little use for either criminal or civil forfeiture laws these days. Around 7,600 of the 18,000 police departments in the U.S. would be affected by the changes implemented.