Washington, DC, June 22, 1995 -- "A worse example of police state tactics would
be hard to find. Civil forfeiture laws have perverted law enforcement agencies by
allowing them summarily to seize property from innocent citizens and corporations,"
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) President Gerald H.
Goldstein, of San Antonio, said today.
Goldstein praised House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) for
reintroducing legislation that would make the federal civil forfeiture laws less susceptible to
abuse. "Today's federal forfeiture laws are inimical to basic values that America stands for --
they trash the Constitution. The Hyde bill is a constructive step that would remedy some of
the most egregious abuses," Goldstein said.
NACDL Forfeiture Abuse Task Force Co-Chair David B. Smith, of Alexandria, Virginia,
emphasized the need to protect the rights of innocent citizens against government overreaching
through forfeiture:
"The Hyde bill changes the burden of proof, clarifies the definition of an "innocent
owner," eliminates the cost bond requirement, sets a reasonable time period for property
owners to challenge forfeitures, and permits appointment of counsel to represent indigent
claimants. It will provide greater fairness and due process in the otherwise Byzantine
procedural labyrinth -- inherited from Draconian customs laws -- that often overwhelms
innocent forfeiture victims," Smith commented.
NACDL has twice testified to Congress about specific abuses perpetrated under civil
forfeiture laws and worked with Chairman Hyde in drafting the bill he introduced during the
103rd Congress.
NACDL's Legislative Policy Paper, "'Civil' Forfeiture Reforms Needed," is
attached. Copies of congressional testimony and other background materials on civil
forfeiture are available on request.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)