PROPERTY CONFISCATION

[Jerry D Mead]

Tom...I think it's only the autos being driven at this time. The NY Times story (you can get the entire thing off the web at their site).

The exact quote is: "...the cars of people arrested on drunken driving charges in NYC will be seized on the spot and later forfeited if the drivers are convicted."

"The city...will assume ownership of the seized vehicle...(which) could be added to the city's fleet or sold at auction. Several top city officials drive vehicles that were forfeited by convicted drug dealers."

The police commissioner claims that "...the city's administrative code give the police department the power to seize property used as a means of committing a crime..."

Several legal defense spokespersons point out that seizure laws are under intense scrutiny already and that some jurisdictions have been accused of seizing willy-nilly to increase their fleets (and presumably bankbooks).

JDM