The State Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would make major changes to civil asset forfeiture.
Civil asset forfeiture is when police are allowed to take property from people.
State Senator Peter Lucido sponsored the bill. He says he thinks this bill will have the biggest impact on low-income people who forfeit property in exchange for better plea deals.
“Mostly the poor I think. It’s also going to affect those who have been wronged by the taking of property now. This will strengthen their avenue to fight for justice. And more importantly it will give a better optic for all police because we shouldn’t be policing for profit.”
In 2017 The Michigan State Police reported more than 6500 forfeitures. That netted more than thirteen million dollars. The MSP have not yet responded to a request for comment.
Under the proposed legislation. Police would not have been allowed to make over half of those seizures. And, they wouldn’t be able to take assets without a conviction.
The bill will now go to the House.