Paul introduces bill to protect property owners

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced a bill Thursday that would prevent law enforcement from taking a suspect’s property without due process.

“The federal government has made it far too easy for government agencies to take and profit from the property of those who have not been convicted of a crime,” Paul said.

{mosads}The Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act, S. 2644, would require the government prove its case with “clear and convincing evidence” before seizing property of a suspect.

Paul said the bill would also remove the profit incentive by redirecting forfeitures assets from the Attorney General’s Asset Forfeiture Fund to the Treasury’s General Fund.

“The FAIR Act will ensure that government agencies no longer profit from taking the property of U.S. citizens without due process, while maintaining the ability of courts to order the surrender of proceeds of crime,” Paul said.