[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.91,0:00:04.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Picture yourself driving\Ndown the road tomorrow,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.16,0:00:08.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,heading somewhere to buy\Nan item you found on Craigslist.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.04,0:00:12.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps a nice mountain\Nbike for 3,000 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.33,0:00:14.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At that price,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.36,0:00:17.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's probably one of those bikes\Nwith a little electric motor on it --
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.71,0:00:18.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.71,0:00:20.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,maybe some streamers from the handle bars.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.81,0:00:21.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.28,0:00:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The sellers declared\Nthis a "cash only" deal,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.08,0:00:29.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you have, in the console\Nof your car, 3,000 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.59,0:00:32.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suddenly you are pulled over.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.16,0:00:35.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During the stop the officer asks,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.50,0:00:40.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you have any drugs, weapons\Nor large amounts of cash in your car?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.27,0:00:43.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You truthfully answer, "yes,"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.97,0:00:45.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to the drugs or to the weapons,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.79,0:00:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but to the cash.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.63,0:00:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the blink of an eye,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.86,0:00:51.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are ordered out of your car.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.03,0:00:55.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The officer searches\Nit and finds your cash.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.37,0:01:01.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the spot, he seizes it and he says\Nhe suspects it's part of a drug crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.37,0:01:03.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few days later,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.55,0:01:07.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the local district attorney files\Npaperwork to keep your money ...
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.40,0:01:08.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,permanently.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.16,0:01:10.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And all of this happens
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.48,0:01:14.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without you ever being charged\Nor convicted of any crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.03,0:01:16.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now you might be saying,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.20,0:01:19.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Ach, this would never\Nhappen in the United States."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.29,0:01:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.17,0:01:27.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Incidents like this occur\Nevery day in our country.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.01,0:01:31.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's one of the most significant\Nthreats to your property rights
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.09,0:01:33.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,most people have never even heard of.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.23,0:01:36.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's called civil forfeiture.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.02,0:01:40.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most of you are generally aware\Nof criminal forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.13,0:01:42.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,although the term itself\Nmight be a little unfamiliar,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.78,0:01:44.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so let's begin with forfeiture.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.34,0:01:47.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we forfeit something\Nwe give up that thing
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.87,0:01:49.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or we're forced to give it up.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.12,0:01:51.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In criminal forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.93,0:01:55.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,someone is charged\Nand convicted of a crime
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.04,0:01:59.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and therefore they have to give up\Nproperty related to that crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.43,0:02:04.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, suppose you use your car\Nto transport and deal drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.35,0:02:06.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're caught and convicted;
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.74,0:02:09.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now you have to give up\Nor forfeit your car
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.80,0:02:11.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as part of the sentencing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.73,0:02:14.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's criminal forfeiture.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.13,0:02:16.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in civil forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.82,0:02:20.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no person is charged with a crime ...
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.67,0:02:24.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the property is charged\Nand convicted of a crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.21,0:02:26.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Murmuring)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.44,0:02:27.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You heard that correctly.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.24,0:02:32.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The government actually convicts\Nan inanimate object with a crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.95,0:02:36.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's as if that thing itself\Ncommitted the crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.38,0:02:42.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why civil forfeiture cases\Nhave these really peculiar names
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.06,0:02:47.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like "The United States of America\Nv. One 1990 Ford Thunderbird."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.74,0:02:49.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.90,0:02:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or "The State of Oklahoma\Nv. 53,234 Dollars Cash."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.08,0:02:56.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.27,0:02:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or my personal favorite:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.21,0:03:02.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The United States of America\Nv. One Solid Gold Object
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.09,0:03:04.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Form of a Rooster."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.04,0:03:07.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.18,0:03:09.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now you're thinking:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.32,0:03:11.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how does something like this happen?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.81,0:03:13.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's exactly what I said
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.34,0:03:15.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I first learned\Nabout civil forfeiture
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.47,0:03:17.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while one a road trip with my wife.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.82,0:03:19.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, we did not get pulled over --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.91,0:03:20.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.91,0:03:23.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was reading about the history\Nof civil forfeiture
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.33,0:03:26.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as part of my work as a research\Ndirector at the law firm,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.72,0:03:29.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I came across one of the cases\NI just mentioned,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.81,0:03:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The United States of America\Nv. One 1990 Ford Thunderbird."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.24,0:03:38.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In that case, Carol Thomas\Nloaned her car to her son.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.39,0:03:42.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While in the car, her son committed\Na minor drug crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.46,0:03:46.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Carol didn't commit any crime,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.02,0:03:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so law enforcement couldn't\Nconvict her and take the car,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.07,0:03:51.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they could --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.33,0:03:52.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and did --
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.92,0:03:57.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,use civil forfeiture\Nto "convict the car" and take it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.71,0:04:02.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Carol was completely innocent\Nbut she lost her car nonetheless.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.14,0:04:03.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In other words,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.28,0:04:06.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she was punished for a crime\Nshe did not commit.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.73,0:04:11.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I read this I was gobsmacked.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.30,0:04:13.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How could this occur?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.80,0:04:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How is this even legal?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.79,0:04:19.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turns out it began in our country\Nwith maritime law.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.83,0:04:23.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Early in our republic, the government\Nsought to fight piracy --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.50,0:04:25.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yes, actual pirates.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.58,0:04:29.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The problem was the government\Noften couldn't catch the pirates,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.45,0:04:33.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so instead it used civil forfeiture\Nto convict the pirates' property
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.30,0:04:34.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and take it,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.61,0:04:37.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and therefore deny the pirates\Ntheir illegal profits.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.14,0:04:41.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, the government\Ncould've simply taken and kept the booty
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.32,0:04:43.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without necessarily\Nusing civil forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.97,0:04:45.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but doing so would've violated
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.58,0:04:48.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our most basic due process\Nand property rights.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.85,0:04:54.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now the government rarely used\Ncivil forfeiture until the 1980s
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.74,0:04:57.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the war on drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.04,0:05:03.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We expanded civil forfeiture law\Nto cover drug crimes,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.00,0:05:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then later, other types of crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.49,0:05:09.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Canada and the European Union\Nadopted similar provisions
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.24,0:05:13.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that now all kinds of people\Nare ensnared in the forfeiture web.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.18,0:05:16.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People like Russ Caswell.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.28,0:05:22.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Russ Caswell owned a small,\Nbudget motel in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.17,0:05:28.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His father built the motel in 1955\Nand Russ took it over in the 1980s.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.18,0:05:32.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During the years that Russ\Nowned the motel,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.09,0:05:33.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from time to time,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.42,0:05:36.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people would rent rooms\Nand they would commit drug crimes.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.70,0:05:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Russ didn't condone the activities --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.92,0:05:43.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in fact, whenever he found out about it,\Nhe would immediately call police.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.82,0:05:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Russ was entirely innocent of any crime,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.02,0:05:51.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that did not stop the US Department\Nof Justice from seizing his motel
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.88,0:05:55.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply because other people\Ncommitted crimes there.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.68,0:05:58.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Russ' case was not alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.29,0:06:02.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Between 1997 and 2016,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.38,0:06:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the US Department of Justice\Ntook more than 635,000 properties.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.87,0:06:11.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This means each year,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.54,0:06:13.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tens of thousands of people\Nlose their properties
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.83,0:06:17.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in cases in which they're never charged\Nof convicted of any crime.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.28,0:06:19.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we're not talking about --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.06,0:06:21.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not necessarily talking about\Nmajor drug kingpins
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.93,0:06:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or headline-grabbing financial fraudsters
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.39,0:06:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose cases involve hundreds\Nof thousands if not millions of dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.45,0:06:33.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many of these seizures and forfeitures\Ninvolve just everyday people
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.07,0:06:34.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like Russ Caswell,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.58,0:06:35.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.74,0:06:36.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.57,0:06:39.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it gets worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.74,0:06:41.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are you wondering,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.02,0:06:44.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where does all this cash\Nand property end up?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.77,0:06:48.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In most places, law enforcement keeps it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.94,0:06:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they use it to buy equipment,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.96,0:06:54.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or pay for building repairs,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.13,0:06:57.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even pay salaries and overtime.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.12,0:07:00.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a clear conflict of interest.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.60,0:07:02.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It creates a perverse profit incentive
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.49,0:07:05.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that can distort law enforcement.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.54,0:07:09.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is a problem that's not lost\Non those in law enforcement either.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.78,0:07:11.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Former chief of police\Nin Rochester, Minnesota,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.98,0:07:12.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Roger Peterson,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.99,0:07:16.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,described the choice\Nthat police officers often face.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.10,0:07:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As he described it,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.11,0:07:21.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,suppose I'm a police officer\Nand I see a drug deal.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.97,0:07:25.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I face a choice:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.41,0:07:27.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do I go after the buyer
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.69,0:07:30.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and remove from the street illegal drugs,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.76,0:07:34.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or do I go after the seller
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.55,0:07:37.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and get cash for my agency to use?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.61,0:07:41.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's easy to see why\Na police officer might go for the cash.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.15,0:07:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was just such a circumstance
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.01,0:07:47.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that compelled police officers\Nin Philadelphia
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.29,0:07:50.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to seize an entire house.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.14,0:07:56.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2014, Chris and Markela Sourovelis' son
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.14,0:07:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sold 40 dollars worth of drugs
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.36,0:08:00.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,down the street from their house.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.26,0:08:03.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,40 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.15,0:08:07.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The police watched the deal go down.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.53,0:08:11.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They could've arrested the buyer\Nand confiscated the drugs ...
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.82,0:08:13.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they didn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.98,0:08:17.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They could've arrested the Sourovelis' son\Nright there on the street
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.70,0:08:20.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and grabbed 40 dollars ...
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.14,0:08:21.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they didn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.20,0:08:24.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They waited to arrest him at home
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.40,0:08:27.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because then they could seize\Ntheir entire house.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.61,0:08:31.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The house was worth 350,000 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.53,0:08:36.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is what I mean\Nby a perverse profit incentive.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.74,0:08:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the Sourovelis' case was no outlier.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.77,0:08:44.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Philadelphia, the "City\Nof Brotherly Love,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.100,0:08:46.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the "Athens of America,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.26,0:08:47.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the "cradle of liberty,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.46,0:08:49.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,birthplace to the Constitution,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.31,0:08:51.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,home to the Liberty Bell\Nand Independence Hall,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.71,0:08:53.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the "City that loves you back" --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.76,0:08:55.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.75,0:09:00.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that Philadelphia was running\Na forfeiture machine.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.42,0:09:04.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Between 2002 and 2016
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.83,0:09:10.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Philadelphia took more than 77 million\Ndollars through forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.53,0:09:14.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including 1200 homes.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.15,0:09:17.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cars, jewelry, electronics --
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.40,0:09:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all of it they sold,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.70,0:09:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the proceeds they kept,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.98,0:09:22.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they would've kept right on doing it
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.08,0:09:24.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had it not been\Nfor a class-action lawsuit --
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.46,0:09:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our team's class-action lawsuit --
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.89,0:09:33.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause and cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.54,0:09:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.86,0:09:39.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We forced them to change\Ntheir forfeiture practices
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.48,0:09:41.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to compensate victims.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.48,0:09:47.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause and cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.83,0:09:51.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When our team first began\Nresearching forfeiture in 2007,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.74,0:09:55.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we had no idea how much\Nforfeiture revenue there was.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.24,0:09:56.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, no one knew.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.18,0:09:59.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't until our groundbreaking study,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.59,0:10:01.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Policing for Profit"
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.30,0:10:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we found federal law\Nenforcement agencies have taken in
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.24,0:10:08.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,almost 40 billion dollars --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.57,0:10:10.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,billion with a b --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.51,0:10:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since 2001.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.11,0:10:16.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,More than 80 percent of that\Nthrough civil forfeiture.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.93,0:10:20.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately we have no idea
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.03,0:10:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how much state and local\Nagencies have taken in
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.26,0:10:23.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because in many states,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.85,0:10:25.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they don't have to report it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.64,0:10:29.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So until we reform forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.01,0:10:32.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'll never know how much\Nforfeiture activity actually occurs
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.33,0:10:33.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the United States.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.85,0:10:36.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we desperately need reform.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.54,0:10:40.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Legislatures should\Nabolish civil forfeiture
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.98,0:10:43.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and replace it with criminal forfeiture.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.81,0:10:47.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And all forfeiture proceeds\Nshould go to neutral fund
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.32,0:10:49.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,such as a general fund.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.77,0:10:53.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When forfeiture proceeds stop hitting\Nlaw enforcement budgets directly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.84,0:10:57.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is when we will end\Npolicing for profit.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.48,0:11:03.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.06,0:11:08.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now as you can imagine,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.24,0:11:11.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,law enforcement officials\Ndon't love these recommendations.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.95,0:11:13.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.43,0:11:15.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They stand to lose a lot of money,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.90,0:11:20.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they believe civil forfeiture\Nis an effective crime-fighting tool.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.33,0:11:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The trouble is, it's not.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.76,0:11:27.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In June 2019, we released a study
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.34,0:11:31.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that found forfeiture does not\Nimprove crime-fighting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.98,0:11:36.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the report also found\Nthat law enforcement agencies pursue
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.13,0:11:39.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more forfeiture money\Nduring economic downturns.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.09,0:11:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when city and county budgets are tight,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.28,0:11:46.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,law enforcement will use\Nforfeiture to find the money.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.95,0:11:48.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's no wonder then
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.79,0:11:53.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that law enforcement officials\Npredict a "criminal apocolypse" --
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.40,0:11:54.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.40,0:11:56.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if these reforms are adopted.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.20,0:11:59.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But some states have\Nalready implemented them,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.54,0:12:02.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we're pushing for reform\Nall across the country
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.19,0:12:06.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because until we reform forfeiture,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.07,0:12:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is something that could\Nhappen to any of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.65,0:12:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can happen in the United States,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.76,0:12:12.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it can happen in the United Kingdom,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.90,0:12:15.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it can happen in countries\Nthroughout the European Union
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.88,0:12:17.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and beyond.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.53,0:12:19.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People like you and me
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.14,0:12:20.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the Sourvellis'
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.09,0:12:21.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Russ Caswell,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.23,0:12:24.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just doing the everyday stuff of life,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.61,0:12:28.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can be caught in a scheme\Nwe never thought possible.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.80,0:12:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is time we end policing for profit
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.77,0:12:34.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once and for all.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.86,0:12:36.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.22,0:12:39.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause and cheers)