Judge Threatens to Jail Cops for Civil Asset Forfeiture Games - Ep. 7.301

[@theNoNNo]

Civil Asset Forfeiture is a violation of human rights

[@RayT70]

It's difficult for me to hear about civil forfeiture without becoming angry ...

[@johnaverick7468]

Ya Think !

[@bestof.luckfellowhumans]

Yep

[@dsandoval9396]

It's absolutely disgusting how officers of the law are allowed _by law_ to act like genuine criminals. This video was music to my ears.

[@ClockworkWyrm]

EVERYONE should get angry about this! It's utterly disgusting.

[@walterhoward5686]

Makes me want to take someone offshore fishing !

[@johnpatrick1588]

The cops getting to keep the money they steal or even the stolen assets split with the Feds is a huge conflict of interest.

[@SteveninTune]

It's ok the money was taken from the peasants who must bow down

[@paulsolovyovsky1702]

the judge needs to be commended and promoted

[@northerngryphon6933]

Civil asset forfeiture is like school bullies stealing you lunch money with the principal's approval.

[@ExtraLargeGarfield]

its like teachers stealing your money with the principal’s approval

[@123ElectricMonkey]

The bully gives the principal 20 percent and gets straight As

[@mocaeldoercomual9651]

(You're Close....but....It's the "Principal" that sent the bullies in the first place!)

[@beeenn649]

For the record, Joe Biden voted for this. Gor "Govtrac" and look up H. J. RES. 648 if you think I'm full of it.

[@brianwhite3428]

It sounds like the Police are double dipping They have a State Budget Plus, money from Civil Asset Forfeiture

[@havenbastion]

How are kids supposed to play cops and robbers when they're the same thing?!

[@admthrawnuru]

@@icecold9511 lol, please tell me he didn't become a real cop.

[@havenbastion]

@@icecold9511 It could just be he'd seen a Tarantino movie, just saying.

[@havenbastion]

@@icecold9511 You know Barney is where sociopathy is born, right?

[@SaintTrinianz]

🤣

[@martyk1156]

There is a criminal code of honor.

[@gregsmith7828]

civil asset forfeiture negates due process

[@havenbastion]

The problem with due process is that it's literally whatever they say it is. It's the same stupid game as "cruel and unusual punishment", when they make cruelty common and then do as they please because it's not unusual.

[@interestedparty00]

Nah. It’s impossible to “manage by committee”. EOs are necessary. What we need to stop are EOs that exceed the authority of the person issuing them.

[@doglatin205]

@@kidwave1 Amen to that!... Governed by consent, not by executive order... Executive orders or any order without consent is a dictatorship (a form of slavery/communism) don’t be the slaves they want us to be.

[@miscbits6399]

@@kidwave1 Masks, vaccination and public health issues are explicitly covered in Jaccobson vs Massechusetts, 1905. I suggest you read up on it and how often it's been both cited/upheld in the last 115 years

[@totallyjonesin]

@@kidwave1 You appear to have read the constitution and understand it.

[@et76039]

It seems that civil asset forfeiture quickly degenerated to legalized banditry. At least in Mexico, paying the police gives you benefits.

[@caseystrange]

A lot of Reagan era laws are fucking up this country.

[@beeenn649]

For the record, Joe Biden voted for this. Gor "Govtrac" and look up H. J. RES. 648 if you think I'm lying.

[@syzygysyzygy8332]

That Judge is a True Hero.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Absolutely

[@lukaszforster]

Hope you guys can get rid of this crazy civil asset forfeiture shenanigans soon. 🤯

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

and government is corrupt. I hate politics, but love The Constitution.

[@danielsullivan9865]

@@EASTSIDERIDER707 the Constitution is great but it is not being protected by the Supreme Court

[@roberteskew7320]

Or for once not the villan?

[@larrygee9415]

Asset confiscation is a billion dollar industry; people should be alarmed, angered, & demand that it end.

[@laughingdaffodils5450]

That's no industry. Industries produce something of value. This is just legalized robbery.

[@mikeo7803]

Its a service industry. This is how they protect us

[@markscott9622]

The people involved in it need to be publicly named and shamed

[@johnnymcblaze]

People should? People ARE fat, lazy and stupid. And they openly prefer sweet lies to hard truths.

[@77yogurt]

I just read somewhere that "civil asset forfeiture" brings more money than burglary last year!!! The government is making more money than the "criminals"!!

[@thomasjefferson2785]

The older i get i realize how corrupt officials are. I feel like a idiot for all these years for believing officials are honest and trustworthy.

[@olebloom1641]

I didn't make E5 in the Army for refusing to say honorable in front of a senators name. I was happy with that. Corrupt bastards should be in front of their names.

[@nowhereman7398]

I've been trying to tell people since the mid 70's. Nobody cared, or listened.

[@liquidragonfu5546]

Well you were lol

[@bobspizza7444]

@@nowhereman7398 no one still cares it's just the democrats fault or republicans fault and nothing changes

[@VSMOKE1]

Better late then never

[@cautious1343]

The judge could order jail time, but who is going to physically put them in the cell? Corrupt cops don't put themselves in jail.

[@childofodin]

The sheriff is over that

[@cautious1343]

@@childofodin I wonder what percentage of sheriff's are corrupt in the US?

[@bluedistortions]

Every now and then you'll see a sheriff and his deputies put their hands on their revolvers after cops have refused an order by a judge about 50 times, and then the cops reluctantly do what they're told.

[@drjay7465]

The craziest thing is that the police actually would rather give the money away than give it back to the rightful ownwer

[@robdeskrd]

Bro they ain't giving anything away, the feds hold it for awhile and give it back later and they get cut

[@martinhanke1670]

If they give it back, it'll look like they weren't supposed to take it in the first place. Can't have that.

[@willlawson6126]

@@martinhanke1670 exactly.

[@bobjohnson9012]

They are criminals trying to cover there ass

[@kimalonzo4912]

It not only sounds criminal but spiteful as well.

[@Anonarchist]

police: "we gave someone else the $17,000, your honor." judge: "then I guess you're out $34,000."

[@marksmith8079]

Exactly, they didn't give away someone else's money. They gave their away own money. Imagine a court case, that money I owe you, I gave it someone else. That is convincing.

[@wolvenar]

Not really. The 17,000 wasn't legally theirs to begin with. So they are out 17,000 they gave away to the feds.

[@Rickinsf]

Take it out of the police pension fund. That'll stop it.

[@kinshayawarrior8870]

I'd tell them to pay the guy his $17k and they can chase the feds to get their money back.

[@probro9898]

$70,000 is $17,000. It's meaningless to talk about "this" $17,000 or "that" $17,000. It's stupid for the police to say they "can't" pay this man's $17,000 because they don't have that "particular" $17,000 anymore. (It reminds me of the time Paddington Bear complained to the bank because he couldn't withdraw exactly the same £1 note he'd deposited six months before.)

[@kennethnewkirk5911]

This man deserves more than his money back, everything he spent to get it back too.

[@mikelastpass689]

He should get 3X the money he spent to get it back.!! Once Pesidence is set... Just watch how fast this Stops!!

[@jpmnky]

Yep. And then some. Plus the resignation of anyone involved in this game.

[@normastone1044]

@@mikelastpass689 I think you meant to write the word "precedent".

[@mikelastpass689]

@@madmax8620 A LOT!!

[@lauriestlyon8773]

In the UK even if it is the government the loser pays the winners legal costs. As I understand it there is a power in US courts to order your costs paid but is rarely used.

[@r.j.martin1818]

Judge could have ordered the city to pay the gentleman $17k out of city funds, and placed the burden on the police to get their money back from the feds.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Surely the person who signed off on sending the money to the Feds is guilty of contempt of court for attempting to pre empt the court case.

[@jphogannet]

Problem is it would most likely play out like: "He did it." "But She told me to." You would probably end up getting the name of some low level clerk who actually did the sending but had no input into the decision to do so. Meanwhile, the person who ultimately ordered it probably put three degrees of separation in there for just this reason. They would take the 5th and whoever says, "He/She told me to do it." would be 1> Hearsay and 2> The next best suspect.

[@virt1one]

that's what I was thinking.... "someone's name is on that action, and that person should already be considered in contempt of court." I also wonder, did they "black hole" the check - send it somewhere in the government they know it won't be cashed? (maybe even to a department they know someone in that's going to sit on it and then "lose" it) Because then they get to say they don't have it anymore, AND they get to keep it anyway.

[@brt5273]

They routinely charge people with destruction of or tampering with evidence if the person has disposed or destroyed something before they were ever directly investigated or charged with a crime, if what they destroyed or disposed of was considered potential evidence after the fact. How the police handled the $17k in question here is really no different. So they are also guilty of tampering or disposing 9f evidence.

[@musicloverme3993]

Absolutely! Once the PD knew the case was coming up, they had the responsibility to make the funds available for refund if so ordered by the court. That's not the time to give it away!

[@mojoman2001]

@@virt1one-- good point. Judge could order the police to post another $17k with the clerk of court, since it hid the subject matter of the action beyond the court's jurisdiction.

[@swdierks]

People who inherently trust the government need to watch stories like this one.

[@WildBikerBill]

I know people like this. They always have an excuse. In this case, the cops finding $17K cash. They conveniently can't imagine any legitimate reason (as if the limits of their imagination should be the basis for making law) why someone would be carrying that much cash. And it certainly isn't ever going to happen to THEM, therefore it is no problem.

[@r2r-r2r]

If they inherently trust gov't, then watching the truth will likely not help them.

[@r2r-r2r]

Lawyers created this evil because lawyers essentially are evil.

[@r2r-r2r]

Gov't tell us violence is not the answer, while at the same time using violence for their criminal activity.

[@r2r-r2r]

I support a law that sentences the DEATH sentence for those that have implemented and executed this evil that has ruined so many lives. If that sounds crazy, then is it more crazy than the same people being held to ZERO accountability for ruining lives unconstitutionally?

[@toastedwaffle4515]

"The attorney Consider this forfeiture acts as highway robbery" I'm pretty sure that the whole forfeiture system is the text book definition of highway robbery.

[@MrBassard]

Well it is pretty much what the mafia did/does

[@dwwolf4636]

People should treat it as such.

[@babygirl8181980411]

ARMED robbery, and not allowed to defend yourself.

[@williamdendyjr348]

You are so right. I salute that 💯. Honesty taught but not followed. The real definition of crooks....

[@logansommer3459]

Joe biden is the one who originally wrote the bill to create civil asset forfeiture. Makes you think huh.

[@ianbattles7290]

"A court order without consequences is merely a suggestion."

[@easternwoods4378]

And the cops wonder why they get less respect every day

[@johnaverick7468]

It's the effing " law makers " you better focus on. The cop is just their minion !

[@Bastillius]

The police are implementers of City policy

[@Hi11is]

Moving stolen money like this is either money laundering or racketeering, and possibly tampering with evidence.

[@robertmattison1282]

In my oppinion it is tampering with evidence which is a crime. The judge would would likely need to bring in a Prosecuting Attorney from outside the town were the crime took place. The people on trial would be the same people who stole this person money in the 1st. place. Stealing is stealing I don't care if you were a unform, a badge and carry gun. You no difference then a guy who enter a Bank and take the Bank money by thread of force. This is my personal opinion.

[@virt1one]

moving money through the US mail via check like this could also be eligible for Wire Fraud. That's a fun one the feds love to use as a lever or to tack on additional charges to the rest of us.

[@scottcurtis4849]

That dont apply to government

[@danepcarver4951]

@@virt1one It is mail fraud, but when the check clears the banking system electronically it is Wire fraud. Plus, the PD converted the cash into a banking instrument, so that is money laundering. DAs and US Attorneys charge criminal defendants every day with stacked charges. Oh, and PD & Feds were working together so that is conspiracy too.

[@ralphm6901]

It may depend on how the PD and Feds interacted. If the PD said to a Fed buddy, "here, hold this sack of cash", that's one thing. But if the PD tells the Feds "we found $17K in a car with out of State plates", the Feds might have replied, "crossing State lines is our jurisdiction, give us the money." It's still wrong, and the PD owes $17K + interest to the owner, and it's their problem getting reimbursed by the Feds.

[@leef_me8112]

You missed the part where PD & city were non-responsive to the judges ORDER for 70 days! Now she has given them the "7 days or jail" choice.

[@Alverant]

Cops probably had something on her or made a veiled threat.

[@ashkebora7262]

@@Alverant ... Uh, why? Why would the judge _trying to put her foot down_ suddenly imply they have dirt?? The fact she's trying to flex is evidence _against_ such a stupid conspiracy theory.

[@justask9775]

Need to lock up the upper staff in the department until they turn over the cash.They rob people and there is no accountability.! Time for Qualified immunity to go protecting LE DAs along with some unethical judges

[@arthurneddysmith]

@@Alverant -Nonsensical speculation (that doesn't even make sense in the context of these facts). Please watch the video before commenting next time.

[@johnnymcblaze]

@@ashkebora7262 Go away hasbarra.

[@tylermoses7829]

This happened to me in Kentucky. I was driving through Kentucky and the police pulled me over without giving me a reason. I asked why, however, they just said "License, registration, and insurance, and I will tell you when I come back". When they came back, they told me I was driving on an expired license....However, that can not explain why I was stopped....and I knew that wasn't true, as I had no prior driving infractions or issues with my license. I was then placed into custody and my car was searched. I owned a business in Ohio and was driving through Kentucky into WV to my bank to make a deposit. (I lived in a Tri-State area and it was faster to cross a bridge into KY, then a couple miles to my bank in WV across another small bridge).... I had around $7,000.00 in a bank bag which was sitting on my passenger-side front seat and they asked me where it was from. I told them I was a business owner, the name and location of the business, provided my business card from my wallet, and stated I was headed to the bank to make a deposit. I also had my deposit folder under the bag that I would take with me to add my bank slips to, which I attached to my daily reports. They said it was suspicious that I would be driving with that amount of money, so I made a joke and said "I would think it is better to drive with it than walk it 10 miles away"... I was put in jail for a "suspended license" and since it was on a Sunday I had to wait until the next morning to see the judge. When I went before the judge, it was found that my license was perfectly fine and that it was not suspended...The police themselves provided that information and said it was an error on their part and apologized. However, I never could get my money back. This was back around 2002.

[@bribbripnairbnab7301]

"However, I never could get my money back. " Why not?

[@YeOldeTowneCryer]

Either your lawyer was a shithead or you didn't have a lawyer. It's not too late. Get the meanest damned lawyer and go after them. Sue for the money AND lawyers costs and for mental anguish caused by the incident. If it doesn't hurt them, there is no reason for them to stop. I fear if it happened to me and they were just pigheaded about it, I'd go Rambo on their damned police station.

[@RickJohnson-vn5ys]

This why I call bs when people say the side of the road isn’t a place to argue your case, court is. We have seen countless times where local judges, DAs, and the coos are all buddies and could give a shi* less about you, me, or their own wife and kids. The gang is all that matters. I’ve seen way to many times where when case is lost they go to appeals court and win all while the currupt peace of shi* jusdge just keeps getting away with throwing his opinion out as law when the judge should be disbarred

[@sandrajones2262]

Anything they confiscated as a result of that stop should have been returned. The stop and the results are invalid. The money was not illegal. Even illegal stuff should have been returned. *I am not a lawyer.* I studied Admin of Jus.

[@gigmaresh8772]

Hate to tell you, BUT A person at your bank got a reward for squealing on you

[@Exis247]

i know we're all praising the judge, but that attorney did some great work!

[@mitchschneider1927]

My only question is: Why are those in government doing everything they can to destroy the people's trust in said government?🧐🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@KSFWG]

Because they think they are above the law and cannot be prosecuted.

[@duanevp]

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[@wvantielen4460]

Like other, the older I get the less respect I have for law enforcement. This asset forfeiture, speed traps, planting evidence, skewing evidence to help the prosecution. Mis treatment of county prisoners. This actually hinders honest judges, who are constantly facing corrupt dishonest local sheriffs and police departments. The accused is no longer treated as an honorable citizens. Bad people are almost alway addicted by drugs or alcohol.

[@synewparadigm]

@@wvantielen4460 it all start from the top. the weak people will emulate their leadership.

[@IvanJohnsonMedia]

It's called "normalizing." Once an unjust action is executed several hundred or several thousand times, the general public will regard the action as normal. Over a period of time, people will be born into the phenomenon and will absolutely not question it as unjust. That is why agencies can literally rob someone on the street at gunpoint and have it deemed "civil asset forfeiture" instead of police malfeasance.

[@hungarianhillbilly4144]

Much respect to the judge for her courage. She should be an example for other judges to follow.

[@johnsonhunglo1993]

There is lots of work for her in Oklahoma!!!

[@DJdoppIer]

Indeed, we need more people / judges like her.

[@adamlv1]

She is absolutely the exception, not the rule. Judges in our country almost never go to the bench out of law school. Defense attorneys either have a passion for helping people who wouldn’t stand a chance in our courtrooms or they were county or state attorneys caught doing the usual shady stuff that they all do and can never work for the government again. Basically, 99% of the supposed impartial, non-biased judges presiding over trials in America today were prosecutors beforehand and probably are responsible for thousands of man-years of incarceration time to innocent people. Freedom, liberty, innocent until proven guilty, justice is blind, they all look good etched in stone on the walls of federal buildings but it is just gaslighting and anyone who has been through the system knows this.

[@BrianDavis-no6gy]

I'm sure she will be an example. They'll probably destroy her career as a warning to others ! She needs to get rid of all her red scarves and doorknobs !

[@BusterNoggins]

Civil asset forfeiture should NEVER be a thing EVER !!!

[@Motham51]

I'd like to see someone go to jail also, starting with the cops involved and the police chief.

[@scottbc31h22]

And those cops superiors, the chief, the law director and the mayor. Also include the person who wrote the check and his bosses.

[@davco59]

@@scottbc31h22 What about the D A ?I wonder did he know about this also?

[@scottbc31h22]

@@davco59 I doubt the case even got that far. But if he did, yes, prison for him too.

[@mototacularlife5267]

Start with the Police Chief and see how quickly these “robberies” cause that’s what these truly are, and see how quickly these stop.

[@mototacularlife5267]

How about the PD owes interest from the moment that they stole the money. As well as being awarded attorneys fees and damages

[@jessejohnson159]

I'd want my "$17,000.00" back WITH INTEREST paid by the City/Police Department and the costs of the Lawyers! Yeah, I'm dreaming....

[@alphach1mp]

Take it out of their pension!

[@ObservationofLimits]

Yea whatever cops, judges, and supervisors signed off on it should all be paying it back.

[@SurleyBlaine]

Thats what the government and corporations ask for when going after people. Usually get it.

[@rogerlibby14613]

@@ashtonw9931 Issue a 1099 Form to ALL officials involved. Get them involved with the IRS! Let them explain their unreported income.

[@89qwyg9yqa34t]

Charge the interest to the taxpayer? I'd say charge it to the individuals who run the police department, but a few months of interest on $17,000 isn't much.

[@badbutton5869]

The only update to this story is the town filed an appeal, Stating "The Town of Mooresville is disappointed with the Court's recent decision in the Sanders case. We believe the seizure by our police department was lawfully executed and the funds rightfully turned over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at their directive, pursuant to established federal law. The Town did file an appeal yesterday, which by law stays enforcement of the order until the Court of Appeals reviews the merits of this case. The Town does not plan to further comment at this time while an active criminal case and this civil matter is ongoing." Coincidentally I hear tar and feather sales are up over 200% in the area.

[@arbl1992]

What news site are you pulling this from? I’d love to share this with my wife

[@thetruthisonlyperspective4872]

Lmfao

[@heathbruce9928]

Great job in giving the town more ideas

[@davidhibbs3396]

It's been two years since this video was put out by this channel. Still no pay out and still no repercussions.

[@carlosserrano3920]

Please do a follow up on this would be nice to see how this unfolds.

[@dannymccarty344]

Sometimes they (justice system) drag it out for years. Steve's utube channel won't last that long to find out. Guys like him get censored.

[@Milnoc]

I especially want to know who goes to jail. I'm hoping it's the mayor, the chief of police and the officers involved with the seizure.

[@mojoman2001]

Spoiler: they will pay the victim back and get their $17k back from the Feds. Nobody will go to jail. They are just trying to pick low hanging fruit, and this one is no longer worth it.

[@robzehendner752]

@@mojoman2001 they should have to go thru the same bs to get the money back from the feds

[@drumset09]

@@dannymccarty344 Steve's been putting up videos on KZbin for years already . . and he is a lawyer, so I'm pretty sure he'll be around as long as he wants to be.

[@Freespirit5371]

If the city refuses to return the money, I would love to see the court seize city assets such as the police station and sell it at a Sheriff's sale to recoup this man's money.

[@finish_my_projects]

That's still tax payer assets... Take it from their retirement funds

[@Freespirit5371]

@@finish_my_projects That would be great if it could be done legally but I suspect that could not be done. However, if the city had its police station sold the embarrassment it would cost the police department and the city would send a chill done the spines of municipal employees everywhere and maybe make them think twice prior to confiscating a person's money.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

@@finish_my_projects Whatever happens, it will be taxpayers money. Taxpayers can be happy that they contributed to Feds funding

[@PeterSodhi]

"Hey Judge I stole $17,000 but gave it to Jimmy yesterday. Judge can you drop my case please..."

[@Bobamawesome]

I remember this was happening with firearms in Louisiana after Katrina. Police would stop you and ask you if you have a gun in your car(its perfectly legal to have a gun in your car in Louisiana), they would then confiscate the gun and tell you to come pick it up at the station once you could prove it belonged to you. I know many of those firearms never went to the station, they went to the into that cops private collection.

[@curtisa3069]

I had a relative who had a rare, expensive shotgun that got seized under questionable circumstances. No one was ever convicted of any crime. He had lots of relatives in that area. He went to the sheriff’s department and told them if anyone was seen with that shotgun, they would die. Then mentioned that he had a few hundred relatives in the area that would be watching. The next day, his lost shotgun was found and returned to him. Sometimes small towns and innumerable relatives can work for you.

[@HHTW2022]

Had an FTA warrant arrest in Dothan, AL a few years ago while driving. Cop seized a handgun for safe keeping and told me where to pick it up from. The woman working the desk tells me I need the original receipt to get it back. I told her I didn't have it, and she tells me it's forfeited. Things got escalated, and one of the Sergeant's come out to see what the yelling was about. Before she had time to say anything, I asked him, "Hey, if I run a red light, and you discover a gun in the car, would you run the number to make sure it wasn't stolen?" Of course, he said yes, so I asked, "If the gun doesn't come back as stolen, do I need to show you a receipt before I leave the scene?" "No, that's stupid... why would you have to show a receipt?" Five minutes later, I walked out with my gun. She tried the "It was seized during an arrest and not a traffic stop.", but he asked her if it was used in the commission of any crimes, she said no, and he said "Then give it back."

[@georgesheffield1580]

Or sold to criminals or used most likely as "throw down " guns .

[@M-Is-For-Margaret]

"Haven't got it anymore..." Well, it doesn't matter that you don't have it, you took it. Whether you gave it away or went on a spending spree or whatever, you took it so you are responsible for returning it. (I'm not a lawyer nor did I take any law class.) Best return it with interest plus extras.

[@admthrawnuru]

Money is fungible anyways. So long as the city has any money, they have this man's money.

[@finish_my_projects]

@@admthrawnuru but that's the taxpayers money, and for far too long the police have used OUR money to fund their failures... Take it from the police retirement fund

[@jgcelliott1]

@@finish_my_projects...Let 'em make their excuses to the taxpayers. See if the public will excuse their thievery. They act on our behalf, with our power after all. .

[@finish_my_projects]

@@jgcelliott1 no, they always get to act and see if they have consequences, usually zero... We need to out in AUTOMATIC consequences for their crimes, just like we are accountable for our actions... We should all be pushing to end the use of tax payer dollars to fund their mistakes, they can find their own mistakes and maybe they will start to police their own bad behavior when their precious retirement becomes threatened

[@jgcelliott1]

@@finish_my_projects...Nah, whenever someone complains about the potholes, remind them where the money went. We are the ones who fund their pensions. .

[@rmhartman]

"we don't have it, we gave it to the feds" "Don't care. You took it, you return it." Huzzah!

[@stupidplumbing2343]

And "we the people" are forced to pay for police departments like this one.

[@shannonp4037]

Actually, we're not. Each Town/City, county and State can vote to disband them. But it takes s ton of work and legal fees.

[@scotthugins7672]

It’s getting harder and harder to believe in this government.

[@vlock1911]

We need more brave judges like this. This is the only way to begin holding corrupt police departments and city and state officials accountable.

[@jonferguson6062]

A judge did not make this statement. It was a comment made by a viewer ! People are dumb as rocks !

[@wayneaustin5533]

I'd like to see the entire population turn against the police.,

[@texasforever7887]

Wow, it seems like there have been a lot of good judges standing up for the people lately. I hope this trend keeps up

[@hoseiimaging6215]

More like good KZbin is putting the charade of fairness and justice to shame

[@widehotep9257]

For every good story there are hundreds of bad ones.

[@copisolutionsservicecc3807]

Actually one of the things Trump did well. Filling empty justice seats.

[@leob4645]

Imagine if it becomes common to have actual jail time consequences on corrupt government official practices. Imagine if it becomes common for corrupt financial institution executives to wind up in jail.

[@bn880]

Who would be left to run the country? :p

[@SaintAnimus]

How quickly such a system would be stacked and politicized. Can't even trust the authority of the Supreme Court these days.

[@BaveMage]

@@bn880 Hopefully good people. Like those who took up arms too create said Nation. Way too many in power today rely on the government paycheck and protection. Pretty much Lords and serfs today.

[@waterheaterservices]

@@BaveMage 2A

[@richarddombakly413]

There's a song by Louis Armstrong "what a wonderful world

[@daverobson3084]

How the living hell has the Supreme Court never ruled that civil forfeiture violates due process?

[@tim9817]

They’re reaping the benefits-that’s why

[@J_D_B4379]

We need more judges to hold the governments accountable

[@henryhatfield74]

This deserves a follow up so we can find out who gets to serve time in jail.afterall it is a matter of public record.

[@Roadglide911]

Judge should find out who ordered it turned over to the feds and find them in contempt of court.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Grand theft!

[@whirledpeaz5758]

Unlawfully disposing of evidence.

[@BillPalmer]

yeah, but they KNEW the hearing was about to take place. They were under no obligation to give the money to the feds. looks like the town just donated $17,000 to the federal government.

[@TheBrownSpartan]

This is despicable. These laws need to be challenged by a lawsuit of large proportions. Thanks for making us aware of these heinous actions.

[@CyFr]

Definitely goes along the right track to keep the police accountable, while also showing how CAF is detrimental to society.

[@miscbits6399]

CAF in other countries is ONLY done with a court order and hearing (proceeds of crime act, etc)

[@CyFr]

@@miscbits6399 than it wouldn't necessarily be called civil assets forfeiture... but criminal forfeiture... or criminal proceeds

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Exactly. Making law enforcement abide and keep on abiding by the law is vital if we are to have anything resembling a society

[@iamnemo8479]

The 76 dislikes are from cops having to give money they seized illegally hahahahhahahaha 😆🤣

[@lemmingsrule8816]

The dumb leading the lemmings.

[@drewdemien481]

Or scared citizens who think the system works like that money was legally taken. S c h m u c k s .

[@SurleyBlaine]

They are mad because they can't find the receipts to return their Margarita machines and Cinco de Mayo is coming up.

[@drewdemien481]

Hahahahaha oh that's delicious and tangy

[@ninaappelt9001]

I wonder if they had to pass the hat to collect it?

[@whearts]

Put the Sherriff in his own jail for starters. When the deadline comes and goes, throw the Mayor in the jail right beside him. Continue throwing officials in jail weekly until the debt is paid.

[@mr.dj1ssir245]

Civil Asset Forfeiture and Qualified Immunity has allowed police officers to legally break the law

[@siegetech74]

Steve, did you cover that under the federal equitable sharing program, up to 80% of the money turned over by state/local police is given back to the agency that seized it. That's how police get around local restrictions on CAF

[@jorgegonzales6697]

Sounds like a form of laundering the money

[@epicstyle1000]

Previous videos he mentioned that

[@djfassler]

I guess this goes to show that every once in a while even judges will do the right thing.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

A broken clocks right twice a day

[@waynegroves6922]

As more liberal judges are appointed, I foresee that happening far less. Judges today believe that they have the right to create laws, via edicts, rather than interpret or enforce existing, legislatively-enacted laws. These people are more liberal, political operatives than unbiased judges - like they swore an oath to be.

[@whearts]

Need to keep an eye on the judge and report on the story if anything untoward happens to them.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@waynegroves6922 doesn't matter if they're liberal or conservative, they usually rule in order to grow the police/nanny state. Torres v Madrid and Brownback v King are the next cases to watch; their arguments were made back in last Autumn and decisions are due as early as March

[@richland1980]

Public Officials will continue with this corruption until it starts affecting their personal finances. Damages need to be extracted from their salaries, pensions and other benefits.

[@werefrogofassyria6609]

That judge deserves a promotion to higher court. We need that judge on the Supreme Court.

[@ioio5993]

I hope she just lines up the Police Chief, Deputy Chief, whomever officer, City Attorney, Mayor, Councilfolks, and starts asking "did you bring your toothbrush", and sends them off to the slammer.

[@dreadpiratexx]

This was a huge problem in Salem, MA in 1692. The majority of the Witchcraft Hysteria was because of Civil Asset Forfeiture. If you were convicted of witchcraft, the Sherriff got most of your property and holdings. Whomever accused you get some as well. Odd that after the first set of poor people were accused, most of the rest of those accused came from wealthy families or ones with land adjacent to their accuser.

[@troodon1096]

That's one of the lesser known facts of the Salem witch trials; it had little to nothing to do with religious persecution, it was mostly people using schemes to seize other people's property either out of greed, spite, or both. (People could do an entire video about what most people don't know or incorrectly think they know about the Salem witch trials. People probably have.) A few other facts people don't usually know about the Salem trials, if you'll indulge in a quick off-topic list: Most of those accused were relatively wealthy, not poor. More men were accused than women. The church wasn't behind most of the accusations or trials; they in fact were mostly against the trials and arguing that people shouldn't be executed for witchcraft without much more solid proof than a mere accusation. Nobody convicted was burned at the stake; those executed were hanged.

[@dreadpiratexx]

@@troodon1096 I was a tour guide in Salem for 15 years. I have to point out a few issues. The Puritans were all in on the trials because of Cotton Mather a horrid minister (and founder of Yale). The Anglicans were against the trials and wanted more proof but they were barely tolerated by the Puritans. They led many of the trials in England before they got kicked out and sent to the Americas. It was brought to an end when they went too far and accused the Governors wife and maid. Many many poor people that the Puritans didn't want were rounded up and most died in jail because you had to pay for your time in jail.

[@wayneaustin5533]

never knew that but it makes sense.

[@MrCool144]

Nice try satan. Don’t make this about you again.

[@janetdeloach8522]

Yes, it was a deadly landgrab by envious neighbors....They only had to accuse a person not prove it.

[@392scatpack3]

A real judge finally somebody with morals

[@IndyBrainWave]

"If you drop your lawsuit, we'll give you $8,500 back." "So, you've kidnapped my money, and now you're demanding over $8k ransom to give some of it back?"

[@gwolf7716]

Then your lawyer keeps half of that unfortunately. The system is designed to wear us down. Same for the corrupt plea bargain system.

[@FlyMIfYouGotM]

If anyone else did that it would be called extortion and racketeering.

[@rse617]

Its literally extortion. They admit the money is legit and legally yours by offering you half. The extortion comes in when they threaten to take all of it if you don't fold and allow them to keep half.

[@davidgates1122]

I ask again, HOW DOES CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE SURVIVE A 4TH AMENDMENT CHALLENGE!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

With courts including the Supremes saying it's perfectly fine

[@chipper442]

They ignore the bill of rights and constitution when it works in their favor.

[@leelacroix8596]

That don’t make it right.

[@frankfacts6207]

Police have the power and authority to tell any judge to go to hell -

[@minavanderleest9493]

Corruption

[@pkobalt]

Isn't it generally contemptuous to dispose of an asset when you know that it's ultimate disposition is being litigated?

[@airstripone2419]

Everyone involved and participating in civil asset forfeiture belongs in prison. It's theft. Pure and simple theft.

[@darkarima]

6:48 "Can you imagine if that defense actually worked? 'Cause criminals could do that all day long." Yup, and they have. Local PD's have been running this switcheroo with the federal govt for years. The feds even made an entire "revenue sharing" program out of it.

[@admthrawnuru]

They do it to cover up violent crimes, too. Look up Brownback v King. That really should have been a simple assault charge for those geniuses, instead the guy had to take it all the way to SCOTUS just to rule that he can sue.

[@matthew9677]

And these kind of crazy cases that make me want judges that are not lawyers. The average person can look at that and immediately know this is unconstitutional and illogical on it's face. No complicated mental gymnastics, just simple justice.

[@darkarima]

@@admthrawnuru Considering how severely they beat him, I'd argue it should have been felonious assault. The bystanders who heeded his pleas to call the cops begged them to get there quickly, because they thought the out-of-uniform cops were muggers who were going to kill him. (And of course when the uniforms arrived, they forced people to delete videos "for the safety" of the "undercover" cops. All over mistaken identity, trying to pick up a guy who didn't resemble King at all - who allegedly stole some soda cans and liquor bottles from his ex-boss. America.)

[@mdchaney]

I've been saying this for years - getting rid of asset forfeiture at the state level isn't enough. The states have to criminalize (note the word) the action of performing revenue sharing with the feds.

[@darkarima]

@@matthew9677 I don't know about "not lawyers", but the justice system desperately needs to deal with the massive conflicts of interest. Maybe we can work on that after we can even get the govt to DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH A DEADLY PANDEMIC, like countries that took it seriously and have all-but-eliminated it within their borders. (Possibly would have eliminated it, if it weren't for the Americans bringing it back in every time they get it stamped out.)

[@johnte0719]

I’m literally going through the same situation right now!! With Martinsburg police in West Virginia they took $6000 and my car from me in front my kids. No drugs at all, the case got drop in Oct. they took my stuff on May 25th and they missed the forfeiture court date but still won’t give it back 😡

[@Melanie16040]

Any luck in getting your money and car back?

[@DigitalYojimbo]

Please get a judgement against them and start taking their stuff and put it on KZbin.

[@bmobileyo]

Same thing happened to me but they only took my money and it’s been 8 months

[@jacksonmehoff4963]

Institute for justice. Look them up They help innocent people free of charge.

[@lonniebeal6032]

Stop carrying large amounts of cash with you, these days it's just not necessary.

[@adamrasmussen9939]

Is that Judge a low key hero? Yes she is.

[@jaykoerner]

And guess how it ended... With the cops filing appeal and not going to jail, so.... Yeah it was a empty threat, fish with judges trying to arrest police officers as police officers have to willing to arrest themselves, judges can't do it so nothing happens

[@kimmieb2u]

"It shouldn't matter who the parties are." You opened my eyes with that comment and explanation. Thx!

[@brikbrokly5272]

Finally ! A judge that is a real American !! Wow ! First time ever? This judge will be rememberd for good.

[@paulmickiewicz965]

I'd like to know if, as claimed, the police were really "called out" to the hotel or did they just see a car with Connecticut plates and say "hmm, lookie what we got here."

[@stephenrussell9545]

We need more judges like this one. I hope she follows through and arrests someone from the city if they don't give back that money!

[@georgekerswell4936]

I'd luv to see that happen.

[@jopok1338]

So great to hear of a great judge!

[@badbiker666]

I would love to see some follow up on this.

[@furyofbongos]

Replace "seize" with "steal."

[@gerainedoss7123]

Please keep doing these kinds of stories and helping us shine a light on what is, in a vast majority of times, basically government theft! 👏👏

[@shinra528]

Would the judge be able to use contempt of court in relation to the department failing to surrender the money back?

[@roc3429]

Give a high school graduate a career in law enforcement along with qualified Constitutional Immunity and society has created a magnet for criminals. Law Enforcement is on of the top ten career choices for psychopaths. This evil is beyond fixing.

[@RTRider.MaxCaptain]

Steve, please keep us updated on what happens with this case.

[@ianbattles7290]

"Without consequences for ignoring it, a 'court order' is merely a suggestion."

[@dr.ryttmastarecctm6595]

Ah yes, _“Policing for Profit”_ operating in North Carolina!

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

What else would you expect from that state? With everything reportedly coming from North Carolina, you should believe you entered a separate third world country whilst there!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou Tennessee is just as bad look up News Channel 5 Civil Asset Forfeiture

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

@@edwardmiessner6502 Tennessee may be bad with civil asset forfeiture, but this is just one issue. North Carolina is all-around evil! I avoid it and recommend everyone else do the same. I would rather buy products made in North Korea, and fortunately, there are few things produced in either place that anyone would want. I don't take issue with Tennessee. There are good people and some positivity going on in the state. Hopefully, the civil asset forfeiture problem can be dealt with soon, but all-in-all Tennessee is ok, including Memphis. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnqkqaWkoM6nr5I

[@superdave2316]

How did we end up where cops are in the revenue generation business? I always thought highway robbery was illegal.

[@tristanholley7141]

People: "taxation is theft" Civil asset forfeiture: "hold my $17,000"

[@bastardrapper]

should be "let me hold your $17,000" lol

[@davidhuey2241]

Hold HIS $17,000. 😂😂😂

[@monarchco]

"it would be unconstitutional but the Supreme Court has upheld it" Scotus has also upheld that a state can't be held liable for stealing your intellectual property. It was a case a while ago where one of the coastal states stole photos and videos from a scuba diver. He sued them and they went "hey he's not allowed to sue us for that" and scotus went "yeah you guys are right"

[@alsaunders7805]

That wouldn't be SC and the Hunley would it? 🤓🍻

[@Plisko1]

On the flip side. The government also is not supposed to be able to own any intellectual property without it being public domain. That's why all the NASA and military photos are free to use.

[@wizardsuth]

@@Plisko1 Unless it's classified, of course. The military owns plenty of classified intellectual property.

[@Plisko1]

@@wizardsuth Fair point. However, it can be in the public domain and still be classified. I may have misspoke about owning intellectual property. I was referring to things created by the US government being public domain. I believe the government can still buy intellectual property or contract it.

[@toml1652]

It is actually crazy how you can get away with stuff like this in the US. Where I live in Finland, the looser of the court case generally picks up the tab for the winners legal fees. This change alone would make this kind of stuff too risky, and cut down on slap suits, that you cannot win, etc.

[@evannibbe9375]

The problem in the U.S. is that there are a lot of bad laws and precedents that we don’t want people to be punished under, but legislatures can’t be arsed to change those laws for the better. An example is homeowners being sued over someone tripping and falling on their property.

[@EnvyTheRealest]

Coming from a Caribbean country of Trinidad, the same rules apply as Finland

[@drmadjdsadjadi]

That generally happens in the US as well in a civil suit.

[@andrewwenner2781]

U make a great point, our whole system is a pile of steaming BS!

[@justsayen2024]

It depends on the state as far as that goes. As it is in countries of the EU.

[@oouknow4176]

Steve thank you for the light on this people rise up

[@PeanutButter-19]

The wonderful legal system that judges, lawyers and police officials speak of never ceases to amaze me .

[@Tocsin-Bang]

In the UK you cannot forfeit money without a court order, it comes under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

[@kungfreddie]

Same in sweden, it needs to be a court order. And thats usually resolved within 6 months. Without any lawyer costs.

[@vannjunkin8041]

Its still the wild west here in the US.. complete with guns in holster

[@kerwinbrown4180]

The government is violating the Constitution. They can seize it as evidence but the can't keep it unless the person is convicted. It takes a court case to prove the government is in the wrong and that costs money.

[@noelcook8421]

UK border force they still do it

[@timpalya6825]

In America the law isn't the law. We're headed for conflict.

[@derekseed]

Other than the man with a badge and a gun, what makes this any different than a robbery or mugging?

[@keyman1969b]

Nothing..... nothing at all.

[@johnpatrick1588]

Remember the govt and especially the parts with badges and guns can actually be predators. In this example, two court hearings said to return the money and still not doing it.

[@joshuahudson2170]

Old law: possession of stolen property is a crime. Rule the money stolen outright.

[@SGTJDerek]

This is another "Law" that needs to go! At the least it needs to be rewritten to INCLUDE a Conviction. Not an arrest, an actual Conviction. Tennessee has had Highwaymen, in the TRUEST definition of the word, patrolling a section of I-40 for years.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

A conviction _and proof that the seized items were fruits of the crime for which the person was convicted._

[@rh451]

Or, it should be temporarily seized at the arrest by police. When they take the arrestee in for their probable cause hearing, a magistrate should have to approve the seizure or order an immediate return. Then, they hold it until the criminal trial when the judge will make the final order on what happens to the seizure too.

[@SGTJDerek]

@@rh451 & Kenny Phillips from what I understand, that's how it's SUPPOSED to work but rarely does. Seems there is some fancy footwork being done. As in lying Cops when it comes time to do the Reports and lazy DAs & Judges RARELY calling them out on it.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@SGTJDerek the lying cops also commit perjury in court and falsify evidence! That's how innocent people get convicted of something they didn't do

[@cobaltclass.]

When the city fails to pay, the judge should add damages for 3x to the total, and then jail all the city officials that are directly responsible for the situation with contempt of court, with a $1000/day per person personal fine. Either the city pays up or those responsible will pay up the new total.

[@Omenowl]

No the money should come from the paychecks of those who touched the money. No reason the taxpayer has to pay additional money for bad actions by government officials.

[@cobaltclass.]

@@Omenowl That of course would be the ideal but will take some time and legal changes, especially when we're in the age of the Soverign Officer.

[@Falzee]

This case just illustrates how convoluted the legal theory of law enforcement has become. If I was to rob a bank and then give it to associate and use that as a defense I would probably be locked up in an insane asylum some where.

[@billg7813]

When I bought a used motorcycle from a mom-and-pop dealership a number of years ago, the owner said the sale was cash only. I had to take $15,000 for the sale. Never had that much cash on me before. I was more concerned about the police stopping me than somebody else. The police have been given a license to steal

[@meMiner]

With the transfer to the Feds, did 10% go to the big guy?

[@Zeppelin616]

I'm pretty sure the feds keep 20 percent in civil asset forfeitures

[@gtd360]

Judge should just make the police department be in contempt of court and have to pay the court $17,000 for every day they don't give the $17,000 to the guy.

[@finish_my_projects]

And the money comes from the police retirement funds

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@finish_my_projects and their department's overtime budget

[@duanevp]

Nah. Money doesn't hurt the people responsible in this kind of case. It's not THEIR money from their personal wallets. It comes from everyone else who pay higher taxes and fees and get handed more speeding tickets to make up for the check. And the city and PD will fight it tooth and nail trying to bargain the amount down, and delay, and roadblock payment. What gets attention is when the mayor and chief of police are BOOKED INTO JAIL for theft, contempt, conspiracy, RICO, mail fraud, and/or whatever else the judge can throw at them. And then doubling down and denying bail would be unlikely - but poetic. And then even when payment IS made, the charges ARE NOT REMOVED but are taken to trial. Believe it: That forfeiture law will then disappear FAST.

[@danareese5260]

@@duanevp while I agree this would be poetic, the issue is that no prosecutor would ever take this case to trial. That prosecutor would end their career in that moment they said yes to it. They have no career in any way without the cooperation of the PD. This is why so often police that just kill someone “because they were scared” almost never actually see trial. They only times they do have been lately because media coverage is too high and they can’t get away with not doing it and they see said officer as a sacrificial lamb.

[@phillipwilliams989]

thankyou judge for restoring faith i once knew.

[@MikinessAnalog]

This video is going to "blow up" & I predict it will have 100,000+ views by the time that deadline the judge made arrives. That is how hot this topic is Mr. Lehto.

[@IronChief]

Ranks right up there with " the dog ate my homework " defense.

[@Xibyth]

The feds ate our evidence your honor.

[@robertsteich7362]

“Stealing someone’s coffee is called mugging.” That had me rolling and really needed a good laugh. Thank you for that, felt good to laugh.

[@montaguee.taylorjr.6544]

I’m amazed on how many of my friends and family never heard of the practice!

[@garyvincent6424]

Very simple, someone in power ordered the Comptroller to write out the check: both of them need to go to jail as well as the officers who stole the money! All of them would think twice before they do that again.