The ACLU of California is reporting that a bill to limit the power of police to seize personal property and keep it forever and ever, has been approved in the State Assembly and is now headed to the Senate. Senate Bill 443, first introduced in 2015 by State Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), provides individuals with stronger property rights protections by requiring a conviction in most state civil asset forfeiture cases. That’s right … due to a “loophole,” the cops can seize your “stuff” even though you may not have been charged with or convicted of a crime. A press release from the organization states:

“Today’s vote is a tremendous victory for fairness and justice,” said Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, Criminal Justice and Drug Policy Director for the ACLU of California. “For years, the scales of justice were tipped in favor of profits and against the fundamental rights of countless Californians who were unfairly deprived of their life savings and property through civil forfeiture laws. Today, the Legislature got it right.”

Current state and federal civil asset forfeiture laws give the government permission to seize personal property, allowing law enforcement […]