That's just wrong. I'd call the $26K a good reason to make a cop suspicious... and nothing more.

I should be able to have $26K in my car if I want, without having to explain it to a highwayman. Oh, sorry, cop.

"You have too much cash, and I don't like your explanation, so I'm going to force you to donate it to my department's budget."

Shoot the politicians who passed the law, then hang the cops who enforce it in situations like these.

Unsung_Hero: That's just wrong. I'd call the $26K a good reason to make a cop suspicious... and nothing more.

Agreed, having cash is not illegal. But geez, you'd think these crooks would find a way to convert it to Visa Gift Cards or something. Or at least avoid getting pulled over.

FTA: How often money is confiscated from people not charged with crimes is hard to determine, Barile said, but his best guess for his department is that it happens "maybe 10 percent of the time" his department performs a seizure.

I will bet it is much higher.

How much cash is too much cash to carry? $5K? $10K?

It'd be fun to print $26K of counterfeit money using a quick-fading ink, then get pulled over by these jokers.

Looks green when they take it from you, but when they try to buy uniforms, all they have is some nice cotton paper.

Unsung_Hero: That's just wrong. I'd call the $26K a good reason to make a cop suspicious... and nothing more.

I should be able to have $26K in my car if I want, without having to explain it to a highwayman. Oh, sorry, cop.

"You have too much cash, and I don't like your explanation, so I'm going to force you to donate it to my department's budget."

Shoot the politicians who passed the law,

thank you, War on Drugs

Earguy: But geez, you'd think these crooks would find a way to convert it to Visa Gift Cards or something. Or at least avoid getting pulled over.

so they are crooks now? avoid getting pulled over? fark you very much.

Man On Fire: Unsung_Hero: That's just wrong. I'd call the $26K a good reason to make a cop suspicious... and nothing more.

I should be able to have $26K in my car if I want, without having to explain it to a highwayman. Oh, sorry, cop.

"You have too much cash, and I don't like your explanation, so I'm going to force you to donate it to my department's budget."

Shoot the politicians who passed the law,

thank you, War on Drugs

This must be why the War on Drugs is more profitable than legalization.

I agree that it seem asinine that cash can be seized like that. On the other hand, these jokers couldn't even come up with a good story. The "we were going to buy a car" they started with would have been enough.

Of course having $26K in a stocking cap does seem a little suspicious. I'd say it was 95:5 that they were up to no good.

And, at least as I understand the law in Washington State, you have an opportunity to petition and explain why you had the money and get it back.

mr_a: I agree that it seem asinine that cash can be seized like that. On the other hand, these jokers couldn't even come up with a good story. The "we were going to buy a car" they started with would have been enough.

Of course having $26K in a stocking cap does seem a little suspicious. I'd say it was 95:5 that they were up to no good.

And, at least as I understand the law in Washington State, you have an opportunity to petition and explain why you had the money and get it back.

How about, "None of your farking business, It's my money and I can carry it around in a stocking cap, a sock, or a g-string if I damn well please."

Farking asshat cops - that's nothing but theft. And they'll get away with it, because they're cops.

Theft = theft. That is all.

ALWAYS say no to a search. ALWAYS.

Love,
JayAndSilentBob

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Sue, get the law overturned as unconstitutional

Having that much cash is not a crime, but police have the right to seize it if they suspect it has been used or procured through criminal means.

if it's not a crime, then why take the cash?

I'd also file a claim with the police department saying that the officers seized $35k. then let the two traffic cops explain to the press why they reported they found only $26k....

heh. yeah. that's the ticket.

TheOnion: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Sue, get the law overturned as unconstitutional

I came here to say this.

With so many banks going under, who could blame them..

//then again, a stockpile of worthless currency is still worthless if the SHTF.

chemical_angel: TheOnion: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Sue, get the law overturned as unconstitutional

I came here to say this.

I think the DEA would raid your house and 'find' large amounts of cocaine and black tar heroin in your house if you tried to get that law overturned. During the raid, an unfortunate incident would occur, and you would be killed. An investigation would of course clear the DEA team involved and it would be ruled justifiable. Reports of the incident would be circulated to any/all of your political and legal connections who assisted you in your SCOTUS case, and any vocal members of your former legal team would be informed that they were also under investigation for possible connections to your drug running operation.

And that would be that.

Depending on the subtleties of the case and what court is involved, the money usually ends up divided among prosecutors and the police agency or agencies responsible for seizing the money. The process can be long and intricate, though.

HOW THE FARK IS THIS NOT ROBBERY??????

FOR FARK SAKES

bet the judges get their cut of the protection money too

christ
/arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Weaver95: I'd also file a claim with the police department saying that the officers seized $35k. then let the two traffic cops explain to the press why they reported they found only $26k....

this
and then they jsut shoot you

of course, the real problem is, that the criminals (in this case) do not have a source of income (prob dont pay taxes), so when they try to show WHERE they got the money from, things look bad

best news? is that money was SOMEONES money and they will take care of the dumb criminals for us

unless theft by cop is just one of those prices you pay to do bidness

/hint: I won it at poker!! WOOT!!

You'd think a drug dealer could come up with a better excuse for the drug money in his stocking cap.

Unsung_Hero: It'd be fun to print $26K of counterfeit money using a quick-fading ink, then get pulled over by these jokers.

That's a great idea. I'm sure it would be hilarious.

F*ck me running. This is ridiculous and sad.

tallguywithglasseson: You'd think a drug dealer could come up with a better excuse for the drug money in his stocking cap.

Unsung_Hero: It'd be fun to print $26K of counterfeit money using a quick-fading ink, then get pulled over by these jokers.

That's a great idea. I'm sure it would be hilarious.

More of a thought experiment than something to be put in to practice, of course... but funny to think about.

bales: so they are crooks now?

Going 62 in a 50-mph zone, a Jeep barreled west on a slippery, snow-covered Airport Expressway...

It's called asset forfeiture. It's nothing more than theft, and it's been going on for a long time.

The fact is that there are plenty of cops in this country who are nothing more than criminals operating under the protection of the law. Sometimes the legislatures and courts have invented legalistic excuses for it, sometimes not, but either way they hardly ever face justice.

Massachusetts case law says once you have a drug offense on your record, that's all the cops need to take your cash.

TheOnion: Sue, get the law overturned as unconstitutional

That assumes honest, intelligent courts willing to apply the plain meaning of the constitution against law enforcement. It happens sometimes, but this is one of those areas where the courts have abandoned us to the thugs in uniform. Courts have repeatedly upheld this sort of thing on the perverse idea that property can be charged with a crime. Thus such absurd court cases as "United States v. $26,000" being allowed on the docket. Note that the owner of the $26,000 is not a party to the case.

ZAZ: Massachusetts case law says once you have a drug offense on your record, that's all the cops need to take your cash.

And then legislators from that state wonder why the rest of the country calls them 'massholes'.

Churchill2004: TheOnion: Sue, get the law overturned as unconstitutional

That assumes honest, intelligent courts willing to apply the plain meaning of the constitution against law enforcement. It happens sometimes, but this is one of those areas where the courts have abandoned us to the thugs in uniform. Courts have repeatedly upheld this sort of thing on the perverse idea that property can be charged with a crime. Thus such absurd court cases as "United States v. $26,000" being allowed on the docket. Note that the owner of the $26,000 is not a party to the case.

i'd like to charge the $1 trillion dollar US debt with theft of services and attempting to defraud.

ZAZ: Massachusetts case law says once you have a drug offense on your record, that's all the cops need to take your cash.

That provides significantly more protection than is typical. In most states, there's no more requirement than that you have cash on you that some armed pig decides he wants. (there is usually a minimum limit on the amount, iirc). These laws also have Federal equivalents, all of them passed as part of the drug war hysteria.


It's important to remember that there is absolutely nothing illegal about carrying around large amounts of cash. You can't be charged with a crime for it. You can't be put in prison for it.

But the police can steal your money and then demand you prove it wasn't wrongfully obtained.

Churchill2004: But the police can steal your money and then demand you prove it wasn't wrongfully obtained.

so it's not illegal, it's just illegal.

then political leaders get huffy when voters scream at 'em about corruption in the police department(s)....

How about a new law for police or political corruption: a minimum 30 years in jail and 1,000,000 fine for perverting the most fundamental aspects of this country.

bales: Earguy: But geez, you'd think these crooks would find a way to convert it to Visa Gift Cards or something. Or at least avoid getting pulled over.

so they are crooks now? avoid getting pulled over? fark you very much.

Sorry I was imprecise. When I referred to "these crooks" I was not referring to law-abiding people who carry large sums of cash. I was referring to a more general class of stupid crooks who get pulled over for a minor violation and have large amounts of drugs, money, bodies, etc. with them.

TheOnion: How about a new law for police or political corruption: a minimum 30 years in jail and 1,000,000 fine for perverting the most fundamental aspects of this country.

To my knowledge, no police officer (state/federal or local) has EVER faced a criminal trial for screwing up a drug raid and killing innocent civilians. And some of those officers SHOULD be in jail. there is simply no excuse for getting the address wrong, raiding the wrong house and killing someone in the course of that kind of operation.

TheOnion: How about a new law for police or political corruption: a minimum 30 years in jail and 1,000,000 fine for perverting the most fundamental aspects of this country.

Some of the worst things done by government agents and politicians are the things they brag about on TV. "Corruption" doesn't even begin scratch at the problem- it's so systemic and fundamental that most of it isn't even hidden anymore, much less prohibited by statute. The idea that this system could work "if only we found the right people" simply isn't true. Aside from the fact that you can't find such utopian benevolent despots as a matter of practical reality, not even well-meaning managers could make a system based on ruling society by force and coercion work better than voluntary interaction.

Churchill2004: TheOnion: How about a new law for police or political corruption: a minimum 30 years in jail and 1,000,000 fine for perverting the most fundamental aspects of this country.

Some of the worst things done by government agents and politicians are the things they brag about on TV. "Corruption" doesn't even begin scratch at the problem- it's so systemic and fundamental that most of it isn't even hidden anymore, much less prohibited by statute. The idea that this system could work "if only we found the right people" simply isn't true. Aside from the fact that you can't find such utopian benevolent despots as a matter of practical reality, not even well-meaning managers could make a system based on ruling society by force and coercion work better than voluntary interaction.

did you ever watch that TV show called 'DEA'? I still can't tell if it's a parody show or if that's really how actual DEA agents act while on the job. If it's 'for reals' then we should just give up on the drug war 'cause we're boned.

It's pretty clear who the crooks are now.

Has anyone called the cops on these thieves?

Yeah...because in this economic climate NO ONE would be suspicious of moving their money through the traditional financial routes!

If you don't lose your money in the stock market, or fear losing it to potential bank failings, then the cops will take it from you. What a great way to structure a society!

mr_a: I agree that it seem asinine that cash can be seized like that. On the other hand, these jokers couldn't even come up with a good story. The "we were going to buy a car" they started with would have been enough.

Of course having $26K in a stocking cap does seem a little suspicious. I'd say it was 95:5 that they were up to no good.

And, at least as I understand the law in Washington State, you have an opportunity to petition and explain why you had the money and get it back.


Wouldn't that be 19:1?

mikeandeichmann: Yeah...because in this economic climate NO ONE would be suspicious of moving their money through the traditional financial routes!

If you don't lose your money in the stock market, or fear losing it to potential bank failings, then the cops will take it from you. What a great way to structure a society!

Very 'third world' of them, isn't it?

While I hate to interrupt the cop hating here, I would like to point out the all seized assets actually are entered into evidence until a trial is concluded, so the cops don't get it in their budget at all until after there is proof of something being wrong.

You can continue hating the people who show up when you're in distress now

/yes I realize cops can be dicks, but so can EVERYONE

Unsung_Hero: That's just wrong. I'd call the $26K a good reason to make a cop suspicious... and nothing more.

I should be able to have $26K in my car if I want, without having to explain it to a highwayman. Oh, sorry, cop.

"You have too much cash, and I don't like your explanation, so I'm going to force you to donate it to my department's budget."

Shoot the politicians who passed the law, then hang the cops who enforce it in situations like these.

Wrong. All they had to do was ask for a receipt and a case number. If they had proof the money was theirs, either earned or given to them from someone, the cops would have to give it back.

But then if you're stupid enough to carry that much cash, or better yet, you knew the risk of holding that much cash, well, there 'ya go.

JayAndSilentBob
ALWAYS say no to a search. ALWAYS.

Love,
JayAndSilentBob

When they ask to search your vehicle whether you like it or not your vehicle is going to be searched. They are gust giving you the choice of easy or hard way.

This shiat has been around since the 1980s.
It was a Retard Reagan initiative.

SVC_conservative: While I hate to interrupt the cop hating here, I would like to point out the all seized assets actually are entered into evidence until a trial is concluded, so the cops don't get it in their budget at all until after there is proof of something being wrong.

You can continue hating the people who show up when you're in distress now

/yes I realize cops can be dicks, but so can EVERYONE

What would the trial be for? Speeding?

Welcome to Obama's America. If the government thinks you have too much money, they'll just take it with no pesky "due process" to get involved with.

Officer the banks are failing, and wall street has gone crazy. I'm sorry but I prefer ALL my cash to travel with me until this economic crisis is over.

Of course a drug dealer or a male prostitute, MIGHT not be smart enough to come up with that.

SVC_conservative: While I hate to interrupt the cop hating here, I would like to point out the all seized assets actually are entered into evidence until a trial is concluded, so the cops don't get it in their budget at all until after there is proof of something being wrong.

You can continue hating the people who show up when you're in distress now

/yes I realize cops can be dicks, but so can EVERYONE

um...no, actually that is NOT the case. the cops don't have to prove the money was made via illegal means - YOU have to prove to THEM that it's NOT illegal. good luck with that one, since the money you need for your defense has already been seized by the cops and disbursed to the local government.

Good law as far as I'm concerned, it's obviously drug money.

Donnchadha: Welcome to Obama's America. If the government thinks you have too much money, they'll just take it with no pesky "due process" to get involved with.

3/10

Procedural Texture: This shiat has been around since the 1980s.
It was a Retard Reagan initiative.

Ronald Reagan made steroids illegal, which sucks, and George Bush pushed congress to make Pro-hormones illegal.

Why is it, women can cry "its my body, stay out," with regards to reproductive health. But I can't make the same farking decision about my body with regards to the Juice.

Its bullshiat.