Controversial law allows police to seize and sell cars of non-lawbreakers, keeping the proceeds

[sl8]

From https://kstp.com/news/controversial-law-allows-police-to-seize-and-sell-cars-of-non-lawbreakers-keeping-the-proceeds-august-24-2020/5838303/

Controversial law allows police to seize and sell cars of non-lawbreakers, keeping the proceeds

Eric Rasmussen
Updated: August 30, 2020 05:31 PM
Created: August 24, 2020 12:33 PM

A controversial law that allows police in Minnesota to take and sell someone's personal property is coming under more scrutiny after the state patrol seized a woman's car during a drunk driving stop late last year, even though she was not driving or charged with a crime.

Emma Dietrich recently paid thousands of dollars to buy back a 2013 Chevy Camaro that she had already paid off.

"I really hate that I had to do a buy-back, but mentally, financially, emotionally, I can't handle this case being in limbo for maybe two more years," Dietrich said.

Troopers seized Dietrich's car under Minnesota's forfeiture law that has allowed police agencies across the state to take close to 14,000 vehicles, generating nearly $10 million for those departments in just three years, according to a review of statewide data by 5 INVESTIGATES.

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[OldBaldy1701E]

1. So...

The first time I read this article, there was a quote from the State Patrol that basically said that they felt that they were justified in this because it kept people 'innocent', thus admitting that they are just being thugs for profit. I see that the quote has been removed. Which is not surprising, as that statement alone should have been enough to start an ethics investigation into the entire division. Pathetic but not surprising. This state glows with the amount of white in it, and such mindsets are not a shock.

[exboyfil]

3. Now the reporter has an ethical problem as well

Either the quote was made up by the reporter or the reporter pulled a quote which is newsworthy.

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Good, because I was hoping...

that someone else saw it as well. This is a dictatorship if the so called 'enforcers' of law and order are acting the exact same way as any criminal racket.

[tblue37]

2. Literal highway robbery. nt

[Buckeye_Democrat]

4. And usually the victim of forfeiture is presumed guilty...

... and can't get their property returned without proving innocence!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Asset forfeiture is one of the greatest heists cop agencies pull. Billions of dollars of property

stolen from people.

[Claire Oh Nette]

6. Asset forfeiture

Asset Forfeiture = Theft.