civil asset forfeiture

Here's what 'civil asset forfeiture' means, and how a celebrated canine officer made the news after sniffing out over 100K in luggage at Dallas Love Field.

Imagine if police pulled you over, then seized your cash and property for no other reason than you were driving along a highway frequented by drug dealers. It happens more often than you'd think, and the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear Texas case concerning "civil asset forfeiture" basically OK's the practice.

Last week, while we enjoyed some post-work margaritas at a local taqueria, I told my editor, a recent arrival from California, about the time a district attorney in Montgomery County made headlines after it was discovered he'd used money seized by police to buy a margarita mixer and booze for a party.