The Boston City Council on Wednesday urged the State Legislature to update a system that allows law enforcement to seize, and keep, money and property confiscated as part of a suspected drug crime in Massachusetts.
The council approved a resolution in support of legislation that would reform this system, known as civil asset forfeiture.
Massachusetts has the lowest legal bar in the country for prosecutors to keep property as part of a forfeiture case. They can also hold onto the assets indefinitely, as detailed in theCity councilor Julia Mejia, who offered the resolution for a vote, said her goal was to spur action at the State House.
The resolution supports two forfeiture reform bills pending in the state Senate Committee on Ways & Means. The legislation would raise the legal standard for forfeiture in Massachusetts, and require more disclosure and reporting on how law enforcement seizes and spends these funds. "In addition to raising the standard of proof and dollar threshold required to seize assets, the legislation will promote much needed accountability and transparency in our civil forfeiture laws," she said.“We view forfeitures as an unacceptable form of legalized theft by police that enables them to spend money without public oversight,” said Alex Marthews, who chairs Digital Fourth, a nonprofit that opposes government surveillance.
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