State Senator Vows To Reform Hawaii Asset Forfeiture Laws
State Sen. Will Espero says the current system is unfair because it opens citizens up to having their property taken even if they aren’t convicted of a crime.
Well, that was quick.
One聽day after Civil Beat reported Hawaii received a D-minus from the for having some of the worst asset forfeiture laws in the U.S., state Sen. Will Espero took to Twitter and Facebook to say he plans to introduce legislation to reform the practice.
I’ll be introducing legislation to reform the asset forfeiture law next session.
鈥 Will Espero (@WillEspero)
Espero, who is the vice president of the Senate, used to be chairman of the public safety committee, and has been an outspoken advocate for more accountability of law enforcement.
In particular, he wants to set minimum training standards for police to meet before they鈥檙e issued a gun and badge. Hawaii is currently the only state without such a training and standards board.
Espero said Thursday that he plans to introduced about a dozen bills related to police reform that he hopes will affect all law enforcement agencies in the state.
He believes the state鈥檚 asset forfeiture policies need to be updated so that law enforcement cannot seize and sell a person鈥檚 belongings without a conviction. Current laws only require a preponderance of evidence of wrongdoing for police to seize someone鈥檚 property.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 not a conviction why would you allow the government to take and sell someone鈥檚 property,鈥 Espero said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just morality 101.鈥
The senator also wants to consider putting seized funds into the state鈥檚 general fund. Proceeds from property seizures currently get directed into the coffers of local law enforcement agencies, which can provide an incentive to take more property.
Espero says he fully expects to get pushback from the law enforcement community.
