If the governor signs the bill into law, Arizona will become the 16th state to require a conviction for asset forfeiture.
by C.J. Ciaramella
Reason.com
The Arizona legislature passed a bill yesterday that would make the state the 16th* in the country to require a criminal conviction before law enforcement can take property under civil asset forfeiture.
By a vote of 29–1, the Arizona Senate passed House Bill 2810, which would require police and prosecutors to obtain a conviction in most civil forfeiture cases. The bill passed the Arizona House in February, and it now heads to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk for his signature.
Among other provisions, the legislation will also require the government to prove property was being used in connection to illegal activity, strengthen notice requirements when property is seized, and ban the use of roadside waivers that police use to get people to sign over their property.