Law enforcement

Most Americans don’t realize it’s this easy for police to take your cash

Civil asset forfeiture is a controversial but legal practice that allows cops to seize cash and property from people without charging them with a crime. If police simply suspect that you acquired something as a result of illegal activity, they can take it from you. If you want to get it back, the onus is on you to prove you got it legally.

As you might imagine, a lot of folks are up in arms about this. But reform has been slow. New Mexico and Montana are the only two states that have placed significant limits on the process. A similar effort in California recently died in the state legislature.

One possible reason? Most Americans aren't even aware that civil asset forfeiture is happening.