PA: It’s Time to Protect Innocent People’s Property

FreedomWorks Director of Justice Reform Jason Pye commented on Pennsylvania’s efforts to reform asset forfeiture law:

“The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution makes clear that ‘[n]o person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.’ This crucial protection is further reiterated in Pennsylvania’s Constitution. But for too long, the property of innocent individuals’ has been seized by the government without being charged with a crime. Their property is put on trial, and, often, they’re left with a costly and long legal battle to get it back.”

“Legislation introduced in the Pennsylvania House and Senate would restore the presumption of innocence in the Commonwealth by requiring a criminal conviction before property can be forfeited by the government. This is a common sense policy that will end the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws."

"Momentum is building across the country for reforms to protect innocent people and their property from government overreach. FreedomWorks activists support these efforts and are ready to mobilize to take action and urge Pennsylvania lawmakers to protect the private property of law-abiding citizens.”