The study examined 1,110 cases in 14 counties, representing 70% of the 1,591 civil asset forfeiture cases filed in Alabama in 2015. It found:
- Courts awarded $2.2 million to law enforcement agencies in 827 disposed cases.
- In a quarter of the cases filed, criminal charges were not brought against the person whose property was seized, resulting in the forfeiture of more than $670,000.
- The state won 84% of disposed cases against property owners not charged with crime.
- In 55% percent of cases where criminal charges were filed, the charges were related to marijuana. In 18% of cases where criminal charges were filed, the charge was simple possession of marijuana and/or paraphernalia.
- In 64% of cases where criminal charges were filed, the defendant was black (African Americans comprise 27 percent of state's population).
- In half of the cases, the amount of cash was $1,372 or less.
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- Copyright 2018 by Southern Poverty Law Center. All rights reserved.