A bill scheduled to come up in the state house judiciary committee Tuesday could change Michigan’s forfeiture law. Lawmakers behind the bill say they’re hopeful a recent supreme court decision will bolster support for the measure.
Under current state law police can seize and keep property they allege is related to a crime.
But under the new bill, police would not be allowed to forfeit the property unless the person whose property was seized is convicted of a crime.
Republican State Senator Peter Lucido is a bill sponsor. He said the measure is in line with last week’s supreme court decision.
“Nine justices of the United States Supreme Court said ‘it’s about over with now, we’re not going to let policing for profit to continue.’”
Lucido said he’s hopeful the Supreme Court decision will increase support for his bill. Small changes have been made to Michigan’s forfeiture law, but he is hopeful the Supreme Court decision will give added momentum to this larger change.
“They’ve given a direction now for states to start following the rules but we’ve got to bring it far enough.”
Officials with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police oppose the bill, saying it would give drug dealers more protections than the average citizen.