“We hope to issue this week a new directive on asset forfeiture – especially for drug traffickers,” he said. It differs from criminal forfeiture cases, where prosecutors typically must prove a person is guilty or reach a settlement before freezing funds or selling property. In civil forfeiture, authorities don’t have to prove guilt, file charges or obtain a conviction before seizing private property. Sessions argues that increased civil forfeiture powers gives law enforcement officials an effective tool to go after lawbreakers. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas also has gone on the record about asset forfeiture reform in the past.

Source: Fox News July 19, 2017 16:41 UTC