Course Summary
Asset forfeiture is a legal means by which federal and state laws allow for the seizure and eventual forfeiture of property connected and/or integrated in some manner with criminal activity. These laws were created for two reasons. First, to give law enforcement a tool to weaken criminal actions, and second, to provide law enforcement agencies with a potential revenue stream to assist in further combating crime.
Forfeiture has been successfully used to target a variety of crime issues ranging from illegal drug sales and street racing to nuisance properties and drunk driving. Asset Forfeiture can also help agencies offset the costs of reducing crime through laws that permit them to receive forfeiture proceeds and equitable sharing arrangements. However, asset forfeiture is also a controversial practice, as can be expected by some groups in society.
However, with due diligence and attention to appropriate codes of professional conduct, law enforcement officials can implement asset forfeiture programs which meet all legal requirements, protect property owners' rights, and effectively target criminal activity.
This course will reveal the theories and different types of forfeitures, compare and contrast the Federal versus State Laws, lay out the benefits and criticisms of forfeiture, and state the problems for which forfeiture is a remedy.
Course Syllabus
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Module 1 - Asset Forfeiture
- Introduction
- The Need for Forfeiture
- Types of Forfeiture
- Theories of Forfeiture
- Facilitation of Forfeiture
- Federal vs State Laws
- Budget Boost
- Module Assessment
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Module 2 - Asset Forfeiture
- Budget Consequences
- Threats to Due Process
- Nuisance Properties
- Drivers with Revoked Licenses
- Implementing a Forfeiture Program
- Conclusion
- Module Assessment