WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that authorities do not have to provide a quick hearing when they seize cars and other property used in drug crimes, even when the property belongs to so-called innocent owners. By a 6-3 vote, the justices rejected the claims of two Alabama women who had to wait more than a year for their cars to be returned. Police had stopped the cars when they were being driven by other people and, after finding drugs, seized the vehicles. Civil forfeiture allows authorities to take someone’s property, without having to prove that it has been used for illicit purposes. Critics of the practice describe it as “legalized theft.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the conservative majority that a civil forfeiture hearing to determine whether an owner will lose the property permanently must be timely. But he said the Constitution does not also require a separate hearing about whether police may keep cars or other property in the meantime. |
EU releases blocked funds of $6.7 billion to Poland as part of its postEthnic performance nourishes soul, life in southwest ChinaChess Preview: China's world champion Ding seeking first Asian Games goldInterview: Zheng Qinwen: Keep my eyes on the sky and feet on the groundMain Media Center of Hangzhou Asian Games starts trial operation2022 China International Travel Mart to launch in KunmingMaritime Silk Road art festival opens in QuanzhouAnother ankle injury rules Dortmund forward Haller out of Champions League match against AtléticoHighlights of Hangzhou Asian GamesFBI opens criminal investigation into Baltimore bridge collapse, AP source says