Drug Policy, Press Release, September 10, 2015
Law Enforcement Lobby Deploys Heavy-Handed Scare Tactics
Senator Mitchell’s Bill, SB 443, Would Have Required Conviction Before Forfeiture
SACRAMENTO, CA — Civil asset forfeiture reform legislation authored by Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and David Hadley (R-Torrance) failed to pass the Assembly Floor today after extraordinary efforts by law enforcement to defeat it, including personal calls to legislators’ cell phones and other scare tactics. Despite bipartisan support and nearly unanimous votes at every previous juncture, SB 443 could not survive the Assembly Floor vote today. However, the bill was granted reconsideration, meaning it can be taken up for another floor vote tomorrow, the final day of session, if the authors so choose. Continue reading “Bipartisan Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill Dies on California Assembly Floor”