The Institute for Justice sues the City of Albuquerque over civil asset forfeiture

During the 2015 legislative session, the Rio Grande Foundation along with the NM branch of the Drug Policy Alliance, the ACLU, and the Institute for Justice worked successfully to reform New Mexico’s abusive civil asset forfeiture laws. Unfortunately, the City of Albuquerque is ignoring the law. According to the case being brought by the Institute for Justice, “In Albuquerque, police and prosecutors continue to use civil forfeiture and have even announced plans to purchase a new, bigger parking lot to hold all the cars they expect to seize—a parking lot that will be paid for through civil forfeiture.”

We are excited to be able to continue to work with IJ, but wish that Albuquerque’s elected leaders including Mayor Berry and City Council would adhere to the law without threat of a lawsuit.

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5 Replies to “The Institute for Justice sues the City of Albuquerque over civil asset forfeiture”

  1. I wish they would include Rio Rancho in their lawsuit. As a City Councilor, I have requested information such as how many innocent owners, how many were driving on a suspended license, or was someone else car and staff has refused to release the information with approval of the majority of the Governing Body.

    1. ARTICLE THREE
      AMENDED ATTACHMENT OF PURPOSE
      TO
      ARTICLES OF I NCORPORATION
      these united States of America lnc.
      To all Deputized Federal Marshals of “these united States of America” and to all PATRIOT
      OFFICERS whom have taken a re-affirmation of Oath under the Accommodation Party
      heretofore, Iet it be known, forever written in blood, sweat, tears and stone,
      that we, the people, sovereign citizens of “these united States of America lnc.”
      under certifiable notarized official corporate seal
      do her”eby declare under sworn oath
      that we shall and will defend and protect the integrity
      of “these (so loved) united States of America” and it’s people
      and we will Protect Defend and Enforce the originalBill of Rights, original Constitution of the
      United States, original USA PATRIOT ACT, original New Mexico Constitution and uphold the
      original Declaration of lndependence and the original
      composition of the original
      Constitution of “these united States of America”
      AND ARE BOUND TO THIS UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL CONTRACTUAL
      ALLEGIANCE AS THE ACCOMMODATION PARTY !
      Jayfi,nber /+*” ‘/
      Ctro fi_Uon ry-
      ,r*l
      2014
      *’il

    2. Thanks Chuck. I’d be more than happy to put you in touch with the folks from IJ if you are interested. Obviously, if the case goes our way it will apply to all cities in NM including Rio Rancho. Nonetheless, IJ may be able to help.

  2. Even Heritage agrees:

    http://dailysignal.com/2015/11/19/this-city-claims-they-need-to-seize-peoples-cars-because-of-drunk-driving-why-thats-wrong/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRousqjAZKXonjHpfsX56%2BssX6GwlMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4AT8dhM6%2BTFAwTG5toziV8R7jHKM1t0sEQWBHm

    This City Claims It Needs to Seize People’s Cars Because of Drunk Driving. Why That’s Wrong.

    Jason Snead / November 19, 2015

    Albuquerque asserts that its DWI forfeiture law is a “narrowly-tailored nuisance abatement law to protect the public from dangerous, repeat DWI offenders and the vehicles they use.” That statement should be treated with skepticism: The fact is, Albuquerque’s forfeiture system seems designed to push drivers toward paying steep fines to win the rapid release of their vehicles. Albuquerque’s DWI program has all the hallmarks of a revenue-generating scheme dressed up as a law enforcement program.

    1. ARTICLE THREE
      AMENDED ATTACHMENT OF PURPOSE
      TO
      ARTICLES OF I NCORPORATION
      these united States of America lnc.
      To all Deputized Federal Marshals of “these united States of America” and to all PATRIOT
      OFFICERS whom have taken a re-affirmation of Oath under the Accommodation Party
      heretofore, Iet it be known, forever written in blood, sweat, tears and stone,
      that we, the people, sovereign citizens of “these united States of America lnc.”
      under certifiable notarized official corporate seal
      do her”eby declare under sworn oath
      that we shall and will defend and protect the integrity
      of “these (so loved) united States of America” and it’s people
      and we will Protect Defend and Enforce the originalBill of Rights, original Constitution of the
      United States, original USA PATRIOT ACT, original New Mexico Constitution and uphold the
      original Declaration of lndependence and the original
      composition of the original
      Constitution of “these united States of America”
      AND ARE BOUND TO THIS UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL CONTRACTUAL
      ALLEGIANCE AS THE ACCOMMODATION PARTY !
      Jayfi,nber /+*” ‘/
      Ctro fi_Uon ry-
      ,r*l
      2014
      *’

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