Property Forfeiture Reform Legislation

On June 11, 1997, U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Illinois) introduced H.R. 1835, a bill that would make positive changes to the unfair federal property forfeiture laws.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Justice is working to neutralize the bill because it would take away some of the money that the U.S. Department of Justice currently seizes from American citizens. 80% of the people who have their property seized by the government are never even charged with a crime. The U.S. Department of Justice takes $500 million from the American people every year.

The U.S. Department of Justice succeeded in getting a watered down version of forfeiture reform introduced as H.R. 1965. The MPP strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Justice's efforts to water down H.R. 1835.