@@Rhaspun Perhaps for the same reasons it is illegal for a business to make irregular bank deposits resulting in the IRS seizing all accounts and then beginning an investigation. Which then leads to them imposing a hefty fine on said business.
That is one case where I would be happy. Wells Fargo has no right to any money. There is an investigation still going on now and the exec's are going to jail. Two federal regulators are fining Wells Fargo $1 billion for forcing customers into car insurance and charging mortgage borrowers unfair fees.money.cnn.com/2018/04/20/news/companies/wells-fargo-regulators-auto-lending-fine/index.html
Make them pay! Take the officer's involved homes, cars, police cars, and stations. Make their personal property disappear. How much are they willing to lose until they stop? Time to fight back! This is theft and should be treated as such.
I maybe wrong, but you can't sue the individual cop (s), just the Police Department.....And if you do win, it is the tax payers that pay, not the Police or the Police department.
guerilla warfare is key. if you fight the world's largest crime syndicate like the redcoats fought the colonists, you'll get killed. www.stloiyf.com/blog
I have considered the concept of "Civilian Asset Forfeiture" 'Officer Fife, I suspect you are planning to use this squad car, uniform, badge, and gun to commit highway robbery. So they are being seized in the public interest.'
@@YukonDelta-hb2oy we should make such payments come out of the retirement fund of police officers, rather than burden the tax payers... Then police would be incentivized to police each other for abuse of the law
Don - I feel the same way you do. However you are assuming the government cares? They don't. Our votes don't even count anymore. Voting is an allusion to make people think they have a say in how things are run. Next time you watch a protest watch carefully what happens afterward. Nothing.
Yes, the Patriot Act, the NDAA, and others. The Constitution was suspended a long time ago. We have no Bill of Rights anymore. We are just slaves to the State.
@@eyescanttrespass9883 Negative, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 3162 incorporating provisions from a previously-sponsored House bill and a Senate bill also introduced earlier in the month. The next day, the Act passed the House by a vote of 357-66] with Democrats comprising the overwhelming portion of dissent !
The literal expression of highway robbery. Reminds me of when a MI police agency stole $1,000 from my ex. I had some nice words for them especially when you can't pay bills!
Takeaways from this video: 1) There is no lower limit to how much money police can seize from a motorist. 2) If you are stopped you are in danger of having any cash on you taken by the police. 3) Dogs don't have hands.
@@slightlyevolved you can't buy a car from an individual with a credit card, and with some cars you could easily need to go there with 20-40k cash (not many people will take that much in a cashier's check)
@@slightlyevolved You are overlooking the simple fact that cash is legal tender. The fact you have cash does not make you a felon anymore than the fact that you have a gun, a pocket knife or a cell phone. This is about basic freedom.
Police in Aurora Colorado pulled a friend over for "driving while black." They took his car apart for him, found nothing, and bid him good day leaving his stuff and his rear seat cushions on the curb.
@@machintelligence It's still a threat to your life. That's on par with how the Nazis treated the Jews during the first few years. Move to Canada, or Europe. Sell your everything, start over.
@seasch71 Yes, some cops truly are a**holes, no argument about that. But not all of them are, and some genuinely are out there "to protect and serve" the public. While I agree that some cops should should be fired and even serve time, statements like yours are a step too far IMO.
I personally think all government agencies should post stuff like this all over social media. I enjoy knowing what they are doing in real time. You can't shine a light on things if they are not brought out into the open.
loved that movie, billy jack I remember hearing ronald reagan say something about rule of law rather than the law of the jungle, I think he had that backwards as we defintily are under the law of the jungle the strong dominate and feed off the weak
I had $2,500 seized back in 1997 in rural Maine. I was pulled over for going 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. The cop forced me out of my car under threat of force and searched my car against my protests. While searching my car for about 40 minutes the cop manages to find a tiny roach (a mostly smoked joint) of marijuana. That was the only excuse they needed to seize my cash. Fortunately for me the arresting officer eventually realized he had violated my rights, so he never appeared for my court date. All charges were dropped and my money was returned. I still ended up blowing $500 on a lawyer that I never ended up needing. "To protect & serve"... my ASS!
In SC the target amount is around $1-2,000. Apparently the presumption is that no one will spend $3-5,000 to have $2,000 of their own money returned to them. That fact alone is proof of just how wrong the whole forfeiture laws are.
@@ateamfan42 how can money a non living thing be guilty or innocent? what they are stealing is your labor and time by proxy. and that money might of been your grocery money for the month
Great analogy with the cats and dogs! A couple of weeks ago my family was driving half way across our state with $2500 cash on us to go buy a puppy. I must say that I was rather nervous about being pulled over and having a cop take it. Thankfully we made it without being pulled over, however it was a concern at the forefront of my mind. I'm just glad that we weren't driving near Monroe Michigan 😂
I remember a few years ago someone getting got by the police for like 12 grand and another for like 23 grand!!! It's bullshit that they can do this without due process!!! Sueing them to get it back should never have to happen!!!
As a Canadian who travels frequently in the US I am quite frankly speechless. I don’t carry large amounts of cash as I have credit cards and a US bank account with Debit card. But ... I have travelled with $1000 cash for miscellaneous spending. Especially when heading south for an extended winter stay. I’m thinking I’m going to have to rethink that now. This is one of the most ridiculous, outrageous and egregious activities by the law enforcement community I can imagine. Shame on the law makers and politicians for allowing it to continue.
Back in the 90's my dad and aunt were settling my grandmother's estate. Her neighborhood had a growing Asian population so it was no surprise when Asian immigrants came to look at the house. They brought their distrust of banks and government to the US because they showed up with $185k cash in a duffle bag to buy the home. Had they been stopped with the cash I suspect their fears would've been realized. Would've been damn near impossible for them to know how to fight it.
I have been searching Face Book Market place and Craigslist for scaffolding or a man lift for an upcoming home project involving redoing my colonial homes roof edge replacing built in box gutters. Believe me I am concerned. In this age of fraud strangers are very likely going to want cash. I have a long time fear of civil asset forfeiture after watching a special about Louisiana years ago. Thank you for continually calling attention to these thieves.
I have yet to hear what they do with the money that has been confiscated. The public has a right to know . If they were legally obligated to disclose what they do with the money they would immediately stop taking it .
Hello again, Steve Lehto. Good job! Here's what I wrote at my FB sites concerning this episode: MORE CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE INSANITY! Attorney Steve Lehto explains. * [My Commentary] No amount of cash to seize is too big or too small. What amount is safe to carry or transport? The only reason that they don't generally seize really small amounts of cash appears to be that it's too much trouble and not enough payoff. We, the People it appears deserve the kind of government gone wrong we are willing to put up with or, that we are unable to unite and organize ourselves enough to correct. I'll say it again: the government is routinely operating outside of Constitutional limitations, which they took an Oath to uphold. I reiterate, let the government use bad laws on bad people and,.... guess what?,.... eventually they're using bad laws on the rest of us. It appears we're all just potential bad people,.... who are more and more denied the benefit of the doubt. It's a "prove to us you're not bad" scenario and methodology. Finally, it appears our system of checks and balances isn't working the way it should. Saying, Yes!, we checked and that wrong thing you cops did is lawful,.... doesn't qualify as a real check and balance! * Link shared by: Pastor Mike Benjamins, Jr. of Oregon, USA. 3-9-20 @ 12:36 P.M. Oregon Time. All my standard rules and disclaimers apply.. * When in doubt, do your own research or consult legal counsel of your choice. Outside the USA, consult your local laws.
So cats bring their owners dead animals because they for some reason think that humans can't hunt, and that they're just helping out by bringing the owner food.
I wonder if the person who is in charge of their Twitter feed release the information on purpose to make people angry because they themselves were angry at what the police department was doing and is still probably doing today 😑
There were probably cops somewhere who were in possession of a StingRay device that acts as a cell tower and picks up cell phone communications who then contacted MI State Police and brokered a deal for a share of the 40k for the info on the driver carrying the cash. I'm just guessing that's what happened but I truly believe this happens and it is sad that money does this to people of every social class, every walk of life, every occupation etc.
@heath mcdonald that's the problem. It doesn't happen to enough people to get people upset. It isn't as though the police aren't trying their hardest though.
@heath mcdonald yeah, I've been saying for a while that one of the not-so-good characteristics of Americans is that when something bad happens, most people take to social media and b!tch. In Europe, they take to the streets with torches and pitchforks. www.stloiyf.com/blog
I don’t always agree with your advise. But I most sincerely appreciate your inside. Thank You for puttin yourself out there for the better good & a different prospective on the Law. Thank You for sharing.
I paid cash for my last two trucks. 40,000 is a used truck. Now I will grant you that needing a pickup for tools and materials is a bit like crack cocaine,, an unreasonable addiction...
Steve: I just saw your latest on civil asset forfeiture. For what it is worth I too am an attorney (in California) and I agree that this is outrageous. Let me tell you a concern I have as to me personally. I live in San Diego. A couple of friends and I often drive to Las Vegas to play blackjack. I regularly take $10,000 in cash with my friends taking a similar figure. There have been times that I came back with less than $4,000 (boo!) but other times I have returned with over $50,000 (yeah!) This is cash we are talking about here. Just imagine if we were stopped by the police, because we have imagined it, which is why we sometimes hide the money in the car during travel; maybe under the seat, or under the dash. But this points out a serious issue. We are damned if we do and damned if we don't. If we are honest with the police we are exposed to theft. If we are stopped by police and they don't find the hidden money, that is great, but what if they do find it? Now it looks even more suspicious. Do we hide the money from the police? (Don't get me wrong - I would never let the police search my car, but as you no doubt know, they are still known to do so without permission.) The money is legally mine, and legally obtained. But civil asset forfeiture has made us question whether we want to visit, and gamble, in Vegas. It demonstrates what I have thought for years - the police in this country are out of control. I don't trust them, and I avoid them like the plague. I have seen them lie in court, and I am sure that they occasionally plant evidence to ensure a conviction. It is a sad state of affairs that we must have a cynical attitude about police in America in 2020.
Death Be Told, I had to look this up because I found it unbelievable. You’re right, they can definitely seize funds electronically but only pre-paid debit cards. www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2016/06/08/oklahoma-cops-can-now-seize-money-from-prepaid-debit-cards-without-filing-criminal-charges/amp/
@Adymn Sani It's *WHY* I stay HOME... I SPEND MY $ ON MY HOME...drawn on from my bank, directly to suppliers & contractors, through CHECKS. As a private business owner, I don't even allow clients to pay by cash anymore... My attorney advised to take ONLY CHECKS... specifically made out by the account owner... *THE POLICE CANNOT STEAL TWO-PARTY PERSONAL CHECKS!!!*
In the so called "'wild west" (states and territories west of the Mississippi River from 1865 to 1890) there were a good number of crooked sheriffs and assorted lawmen who also headed gangs that preyed on isolated travelers, stagecoaches, and other targets of opportunity. Unlike today, however, a badge didn't exempt them from wrongdoing. Most were eventually found out and either captured or killed in gun battles. Sometimes they were summarily hung. If lucky, they were tried and sent to prison. Justice tended to be swift. To use your chipmunk analogy, motorists today have become legal prey and their valuables treated like trophies or the booty of war. Ordinary people are looked upon as the enemy and helpless chumps. In order to forestall a possible revolution due to widespread public revulsion, every state in the union should hold a referendum on this issue as soon a possible.
Exceptionally clear thoughts, sir! Are they your own? Not many people today can manage a clear thought process anymore. The programming has successfully overridden all reasoning processes. We cant wait to purchased the "hardware" that allows their "software" to program us. Programmed for total failure, in all aspects of life. United we once stood, a proud people. And divided we fell, flush with our own shames....THE END.
The greed of these police people will be their doom. No one pays attention if an issue like this only happens to a couple people in the whole country. But now that it has become thousands of people, things are getting noticed and a lot of people who normally would ignore this situation are beginning to stand up and complain about it. As for how much to carry? Myself? I carry no more then around $50.00 and my credit card is only that, a credit card. I have never had and never will have a debit card. None of my accounts are linked. So, worse case, they take my credit card and when I get home I call the credit card company, report it stolen and say that any charges after the time they took the card are fraudulent.
Imagine if that person took money out of his bank and one of the bank tellers tipped off the police because the police have an agreement with the bank that they will give them a portion of any money that they seize. I wouldn’t put it past anybody to do that.
Every citizen who successfully wins back their money or property needs to routinely be award an equal amount of punitive damages in addition. Only then will the corrupt "law enforcement" community stop to think twice about such armed robbery against the public.
Baddrivercam You expect government agents in MI to follow law? Really? That's a good one because the accountability laws do not exist and only protections are in place.
The need to change the civil asset forfeiture to civil asset holds and if after reasonable period of time they don't charge and CONVICT you of something involving the asset, you get it back.
Considering the police can seize the change in your cup holder during a search for a cup of coffee at Dunkies, the only safe amount you can carry in your car is $0!
"If we steal your money, there's an expensive process in place, under which you are guilty until proven innocent, to attempt to reclaim your stolen property. Please be advised that even if we can't prove you committed a crime...or even charge you for that matter, we reserve the right to keep a portion or all of your money because....reasons." --MSP (Loosely translated)
In regard to civil forfeiture grabs by city, county, state or federal governmental authorities of any kind, time, or fashion... As someone once wisely said ( or something to this order anyways..) " Evil exists and can flourish when good men do nothing...
----We've seen videos taken as people's money is being taken by police and the officer just replied taking the video wouldn't make any difference, they could keep his money. ---- And the officer also mentioned that Civil Asset Forfeiture was his regular job on a daily basis, and admitted this while being video taped!
the provocation for the primary offense - out of state [most likely] plates. most cops target out of state travelers as they tend to 'just pay the ticket'. I had a friend get pulled over numerous times in the same (rural) jurisdiction for minor violations that would not be enforced on locals solely because of the out of state plates on the rental car. When the rental agency provided a rental with in-state plates, the 'harassment' stopped.
Certain personalities are attracted to certain types of jobs. Their profiling can be flipped right back on them. And they can cry some more about how people hate what used to be a respectable career. Where is the sophist saying there's always one bad apple that makes them all look bad when the entire department finds this behavior acceptable?
These stories are why people do hide their money in weird places, which in turn makes them look shady, which in turn causes another one of these stories.
There is a guy pulled over in Chillicothe Ohio. They found a couple of pounds of heroin and some other assorted drugs. Largest opioid seizure in county history. It was a one day story. They said they pulled him over for “registration concerns” which I think is code for being a black dude with Michigan plates in southern Ohio.
whoa whoa whoa little Timmy what are you doing with that $20 bill you're going to have to hand that over we think you might have stolen also we were trying to get some lunch later
I'm guessing this guy will definately get arrested now, even if he doesn't deserve it. They'll make something up if they need to. They will think that covers their ass, but it will just make it worse.
A coworker had the contents of his wallet confiscated, just several hundred dollars. The officer also took a liking to his baseball cap and took that as well.
What needs to happen is that, every time a person wins the suit to get their money back, the police must also pay ALL attorney's fees plus an additional "inconvenience" fee to the person they took it from plus interest. This would get a lot more attorney's interested in fighting these cases under contingency.
@@jp6234 I had a 2 mile long post but decided against it because defunding the police and hiring accountable private security is my choice. Think about it this way, Monopolies breed corruption, the police is a monopoly. The police don't care if they are hated to the point that the people don't want them in their neighborhoods, they can, will, and have ignored the will of the people. If the police are threatened with everything that they find 'normal' being taken away then they might reconsider. As is right now they think it is fine to commit crimes under color of law, and for the most part they are right because they are the only option.
Though not by any means proud of this, in my nearly 40 year driving history I have found myself pulled over by police for various infractions numerous times. I have only been asked to consent to a search twice. My question is, how is it that they always seem to know who and what to search so dutifully. I am by no means condoning this, I just feel in all of these publicized events (not just Steve's channel, but others as well) something is always "left out".
The reason for the search? "When the subject rolled down his window, I detected the strong odor of cash."
🤣🤣🤣
Even if there is a search. I thought cash was considered legal tender. Why is it illegal to carry a larger amount of cash?
@@Rhaspun it's not illegal. You just have to prove you're supposed to have it after 6 months when they decide to claim it to the court.
Driving while flush
@@Rhaspun Perhaps for the same reasons it is illegal for a business to make irregular bank deposits resulting in the IRS seizing all accounts and then beginning an investigation. Which then leads to them imposing a hefty fine on said business.
Michigan State Police pull over armored car for following to close. Seize $1.4 million. Announce investigation into Wells Fargo illegal activity.
But if you sit in a armored car they can't Come in 😎
Ralf Risberg you must be right. I never saw a video of a cop pulling the driver through the window. ROFL.
That is one case where I would be happy. Wells Fargo has no right to any money.
There is an investigation still going on now and the exec's are going to jail.
Two federal regulators are fining Wells Fargo $1 billion for forcing customers into car insurance and charging mortgage borrowers unfair fees.money.cnn.com/2018/04/20/news/companies/wells-fargo-regulators-auto-lending-fine/index.html
@@Bob-Lob-Law Plenty of illegal activity to investigate at Wells Fargo.
I bet they could find cocaine residue on some of the bills. Drug money from wells fargo. Let's go check out their vault's.
Make them pay! Take the officer's involved homes, cars, police cars, and stations. Make their personal property disappear. How much are they willing to lose until they stop? Time to fight back! This is theft and should be treated as such.
I maybe wrong, but you can't sue the individual cop (s), just the Police Department.....And if you do win, it is the tax payers that pay, not the Police or the Police department.
guerilla warfare is key. if you fight the world's largest crime syndicate like the redcoats fought the colonists, you'll get killed. www.stloiyf.com/blog
1982Yukon Delta You can absolutely sue individual cops.
I have considered the concept of "Civilian Asset Forfeiture"
'Officer Fife, I suspect you are planning to use this squad car, uniform, badge, and gun to commit highway robbery. So they are being seized in the public interest.'
@@YukonDelta-hb2oy we should make such payments come out of the retirement fund of police officers, rather than burden the tax payers... Then police would be incentivized to police each other for abuse of the law
People need to get together and start protesting the government big time.
Don - I feel the same way you do.
However you are assuming the government cares?
They don't.
Our votes don't even count anymore. Voting is an allusion to make people think they have a say in how things are run.
Next time you watch a protest watch carefully what happens afterward.
Nothing.
@@eyescanttrespass9883 Yes it does.
@@skippylippy547 You 2 need to get together and jump on it. Let us know how it works out for you.
Don (and Steve ) Please see our last public comment ;)
ruclips.net/video/SM8S4Y7FPMk/видео.html
I blame the Patriot Act here because now the war on drugs is intertwined withthe war on terrorisim and yeah. here ya go.
Yes, the Patriot Act, the NDAA, and others.
The Constitution was suspended a long time ago.
We have no Bill of Rights anymore. We are just slaves to the State.
The Patriot Act was written before 9-11 and was rammed down our throats while everyone was too panicked to notice.
Controlled Demolition
@@eyescanttrespass9883 yet implemented by George W
@@eyescanttrespass9883 Why shoot people? Just vote for candidates that want to end the Patriot Act and reform civil forfeiture.
@@eyescanttrespass9883 Negative, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 3162 incorporating provisions from a previously-sponsored House bill and a Senate bill also introduced earlier in the month. The next day, the Act passed the House by a vote of 357-66] with Democrats comprising the overwhelming portion of dissent !
The literal expression of highway robbery.
Reminds me of when a MI police agency stole $1,000 from my ex. I had some nice words for them especially when you can't pay bills!
The absolute reason for the 2nd Amendment to our US Constitution ...
Takeaways from this video:
1) There is no lower limit to how much money police can seize from a motorist.
2) If you are stopped you are in danger of having any cash on you taken by the police.
3) Dogs don't have hands.
Invest in cryptocurrency. Agenda21 demands a cashless society.
@@slightlyevolved you can't buy a car from an individual with a credit card, and with some cars you could easily need to go there with 20-40k cash (not many people will take that much in a cashier's check)
@@slightlyevolved You are overlooking the simple fact that cash is legal tender. The fact you have cash does not make you a felon anymore than the fact that you have a gun, a pocket knife or a cell phone. This is about basic freedom.
Another victim of the absurd war on (some) drugs.
You mean "The War on Private Citizens", right?
@@skippylippy547 that too...."collateral damage"
Police in Aurora Colorado pulled a friend over for "driving while black." They took his car apart for him, found nothing, and bid him good day leaving his stuff and his rear seat cushions on the curb.
I'm surprised they didn't plant anything in the car.
@@Bob-Lob-Law Fortunately they weren't vindictive, just a$$holes.
@@machintelligence It's still a threat to your life. That's on par with how the Nazis treated the Jews during the first few years. Move to Canada, or Europe. Sell your everything, start over.
It’s called terrorism.
@seasch71 Yes, some cops truly are a**holes, no argument about that. But not all of them are, and some genuinely are out there "to protect and serve" the public. While I agree that some cops should should be fired and even serve time, statements like yours are a step too far IMO.
I personally think all government agencies should post stuff like this all over social media. I enjoy knowing what they are doing in real time. You can't shine a light on things if they are not brought out into the open.
"As "Billy Jack" would say, "When the police break the law, then there is no law, just a fight for survival!!!"
loved that movie, billy jack I remember hearing ronald reagan say something about rule of law rather than the law of the jungle, I think he had that backwards as we defintily are under the law of the jungle the strong dominate and feed off the weak
Waiting for state troopers to start pulling over Wells Fargo armored trucks and keeping them.
I had $2,500 seized back in 1997 in rural Maine. I was pulled over for going 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. The cop forced me out of my car under threat of force and searched my car against my protests. While searching my car for about 40 minutes the cop manages to find a tiny roach (a mostly smoked joint) of marijuana. That was the only excuse they needed to seize my cash. Fortunately for me the arresting officer eventually realized he had violated my rights, so he never appeared for my court date. All charges were dropped and my money was returned. I still ended up blowing $500 on a lawyer that I never ended up needing. "To protect & serve"... my ASS!
ZenMaster - that truly sucks. What sucks worse is you are one of the very rare individuals who got their money back.
Nope. They're not even going to protect your ass.
We'd be better-off without them. www.stloiyf.com/blog
In SC the target amount is around $1-2,000. Apparently the presumption is that no one will spend $3-5,000 to have $2,000 of their own money returned to them. That fact alone is proof of just how wrong the whole forfeiture laws are.
Buddy of mine restored hot rods and was always going to look at cars with 30 to 40,000 on him to purchase one.
Perhaps a grand jury should investigate everyone involved in the seizure.
I wonder how many motor vehicle stops were made by the Michigan State Police for following too closely in the past year.
Shameful. Absolutely shameful. I'm eagerly awaiting an update on this situation
What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
In these cases, the people are presumed innocent. The MONEY is presumed guilty, and stolen based on that premise.
You are presumed innocent during your trial. Pre trial you are presumed guilty.
@@roymoon1 hold on lil' skipper. not sure what country you're writing in from, but it's certainly *_not_* amerika! www.stloiyf.com/blog
@@tomscott3 Explain bail or the lack of. Explain asset seizures. Nope you are presumed innocent while sitting through your trial. Not before.
@@ateamfan42 how can money a non living thing be guilty or innocent? what they are stealing is your labor and time by proxy. and that money might of been your grocery money for the month
Unbelievable! You should be getting millions of hits! Thanks for shedding light!
Steve, be thankful a cop didn't STEAL your paper route money
Great analogy with the cats and dogs! A couple of weeks ago my family was driving half way across our state with $2500 cash on us to go buy a puppy. I must say that I was rather nervous about being pulled over and having a cop take it.
Thankfully we made it without being pulled over, however it was a concern at the forefront of my mind. I'm just glad that we weren't driving near Monroe Michigan 😂
I remember a few years ago someone getting got by the police for like 12 grand and another for like 23 grand!!! It's bullshit that they can do this without due process!!! Sueing them to get it back should never have to happen!!!
As a Canadian who travels frequently in the US I am quite frankly speechless. I don’t carry large amounts of cash as I have credit cards and a US bank account with Debit card. But ... I have travelled with $1000 cash for miscellaneous spending. Especially when heading south for an extended winter stay. I’m thinking I’m going to have to rethink that now. This is one of the most ridiculous, outrageous and egregious activities by the law enforcement community I can imagine. Shame on the law makers and politicians for allowing it to continue.
I would think the most common question you get is "how is this not a 4th amendment violation?" That's my question.
Steve, I definitely want the LEOs on social media if they share their unethical and legal activity.
Good way for laws to get changed.
;-)
Back in the 90's my dad and aunt were settling my grandmother's estate. Her neighborhood had a growing Asian population so it was no surprise when Asian immigrants came to look at the house. They brought their distrust of banks and government to the US because they showed up with $185k cash in a duffle bag to buy the home. Had they been stopped with the cash I suspect their fears would've been realized. Would've been damn near impossible for them to know how to fight it.
Da and cop should be charged with a felony or treason!
Great video - thank you for running with this issue. The more and more I hear and read it just makes me sick. Wow just wow
And here I thought only dumb criminals brag about crimes on Twitter.
Still true..... 😁
I have been searching Face Book Market place and Craigslist for scaffolding or a man lift for an upcoming home project involving redoing my colonial homes roof edge replacing built in box gutters. Believe me I am concerned. In this age of fraud strangers are very likely going to want cash. I have a long time fear of civil asset forfeiture after watching a special about Louisiana years ago. Thank you for continually calling attention to these thieves.
I have yet to hear what they do with the money that has been confiscated. The public has a right to know . If they were legally obligated to disclose what they do with the money they would immediately stop taking it .
Watch John Oliver.
Hello again, Steve Lehto. Good job! Here's what I wrote at my FB sites concerning this episode:
MORE CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE INSANITY! Attorney Steve Lehto explains.
*
[My Commentary] No amount of cash to seize is too big or too small. What amount is safe to carry or transport? The only reason that they don't generally seize really small amounts of cash appears to be that it's too much trouble and not enough payoff. We, the People it appears deserve the kind of government gone wrong we are willing to put up with or, that we are unable to unite and organize ourselves enough to correct. I'll say it again: the government is routinely operating outside of Constitutional limitations, which they took an Oath to uphold. I reiterate, let the government use bad laws on bad people and,.... guess what?,.... eventually they're using bad laws on the rest of us. It appears we're all just potential bad people,.... who are more and more denied the benefit of the doubt. It's a "prove to us you're not bad" scenario and methodology. Finally, it appears our system of checks and balances isn't working the way it should. Saying, Yes!, we checked and that wrong thing you cops did is lawful,.... doesn't qualify as a real check and balance!
*
Link shared by: Pastor Mike Benjamins, Jr. of Oregon, USA. 3-9-20 @ 12:36 P.M. Oregon Time. All my standard rules and disclaimers apply..
*
When in doubt, do your own research or consult legal counsel of your choice. Outside the USA, consult your local laws.
Usually out of state plate or rental car
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
BADGUYS DO SO ANYWAY!!!
TIS Y PUBLIC NEEDS LEGAL IMMEDIATE RECOURSE ON-THE-SPOT!!!
REALLY Y MUST PUBLIC TOLERATE SUCH BLATANT WRONGDOING???!!!
So cats bring their owners dead animals because they for some reason think that humans can't hunt, and that they're just helping out by bringing the owner food.
Cat bragging. Showing owner some love.
I wonder if the person who is in charge of their Twitter feed release the information on purpose to make people angry because they themselves were angry at what the police department was doing and is still probably doing today 😑
I personally have carried large amounts of cash in small bills because I was traveling to antique car parts swap meets.
There were probably cops somewhere who were in possession of a StingRay device that acts as a cell tower and picks up cell phone communications who then contacted MI State Police and brokered a deal for a share of the 40k for the info on the driver carrying the cash. I'm just guessing that's what happened but I truly believe this happens and it is sad that money does this to people of every social class, every walk of life, every occupation etc.
Makes me ashamed to be a police officer.
Nothing Matters Any Longer
I wonder how to make more people learn about this so it can be stopped.
Send a link to this video to all your family & friends and ask them to do the same.
@heath mcdonald that's the problem. It doesn't happen to enough people to get people upset. It isn't as though the police aren't trying their hardest though.
Convince the media to publicize this atrocity. Most people have never heard about it and the government doesn't broadcast their greed.
@heath mcdonald yeah, I've been saying for a while that one of the not-so-good characteristics of Americans is that when something bad happens, most people take to social media and b!tch. In Europe, they take to the streets with torches and pitchforks. www.stloiyf.com/blog
I don’t always agree with your advise.
But I most sincerely appreciate your inside.
Thank You for puttin yourself out there for the better good & a different prospective on the Law.
Thank You for sharing.
Just a side note, I have tools that cost more than the ten grand government fund flag law.
The whole guilty assets until you prove otherwise is just bonkers. And a plain example of highway robbery.
I paid cash for my last two trucks. 40,000 is a used truck. Now I will grant you that needing a pickup for tools and materials is a bit like crack cocaine,, an unreasonable addiction...
Steve: I just saw your latest on civil asset forfeiture. For what it is worth I too am an attorney (in California) and I agree that this is outrageous.
Let me tell you a concern I have as to me personally. I live in San Diego. A couple of friends and I often drive to Las Vegas to play blackjack. I regularly take $10,000 in cash with my friends taking a similar figure. There have been times that I came back with less than $4,000 (boo!) but other times I have returned with over $50,000 (yeah!)
This is cash we are talking about here. Just imagine if we were stopped by the police, because we have imagined it, which is why we sometimes hide the money in the car during travel; maybe under the seat, or under the dash. But this points out a serious issue. We are damned if we do and damned if we don't. If we are honest with the police we are exposed to theft. If we are stopped by police and they don't find the hidden money, that is great, but what if they do find it? Now it looks even more suspicious. Do we hide the money from the police? (Don't get me wrong - I would never let the police search my car, but as you no doubt know, they are still known to do so without permission.)
The money is legally mine, and legally obtained. But civil asset forfeiture has made us question whether we want to visit, and gamble, in Vegas. It demonstrates what I have thought for years - the police in this country are out of control. I don't trust them, and I avoid them like the plague. I have seen them lie in court, and I am sure that they occasionally plant evidence to ensure a conviction. It is a sad state of affairs that we must have a cynical attitude about police in America in 2020.
What is the amount of money that triggers suspicion of guilt?
There is no line.
Having money is not illegal.
Glad to see you stand up and let us see the T-shirt.
Dont forget in Oklahoma they can run your debit card with a card reader on the side of the road and empty your bank account.
*NOT GOING THERE EITHER!!!!!*
Death Be Told, I had to look this up because I found it unbelievable. You’re right, they can definitely seize funds electronically but only pre-paid debit cards.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2016/06/08/oklahoma-cops-can-now-seize-money-from-prepaid-debit-cards-without-filing-criminal-charges/amp/
@Adymn Sani It's *WHY* I stay HOME... I SPEND MY $ ON MY HOME...drawn on from my bank, directly to suppliers & contractors, through CHECKS.
As a private business owner, I don't even allow clients to pay by cash anymore... My attorney advised to take ONLY CHECKS... specifically made out by the account owner... *THE POLICE CANNOT STEAL TWO-PARTY PERSONAL CHECKS!!!*
There is corruption in Mexico, perhaps worse and certainly more in the open than in the U.S. But they have Universal Health Care in Mexico.
@@arycosta7293 it's just pre paid but unfortunately I have co workers who use prepaid for Bill's and just to keep there money on the cards
Due Process? 4th, 5th, 8th Amendments?
All officially used as a doormat by cops, DAs, and glorified (sometimes unelected) lawyers in black gowns. www.stloiyf.com/blog
Thanks for the tee-shirt shot, love Puddles! Keep up the good work.
"I think you made this penny illegally. I'm going to seize it."
State of Alabama v. Two Hundred Six ($206.00) Dollars, U. S. Currency, no one is safe, no amount is "safe".
In the so called "'wild west" (states and territories west of the Mississippi River from 1865 to 1890) there were a good number of crooked sheriffs and assorted lawmen who also headed gangs that preyed on isolated travelers, stagecoaches, and other targets of opportunity. Unlike today, however, a badge didn't exempt them from wrongdoing. Most were eventually found out and either captured or killed in gun battles. Sometimes they were summarily hung. If lucky, they were tried and sent to prison. Justice tended to be swift. To use your chipmunk analogy, motorists today have become legal prey and their valuables treated like trophies or the booty of war. Ordinary people are looked upon as the enemy and helpless chumps. In order to forestall a possible revolution due to widespread public revulsion, every state in the union should hold a referendum on this issue as soon a possible.
Exceptionally clear thoughts, sir! Are they your own?
Not many people today can manage a clear thought process anymore. The programming has successfully overridden all reasoning processes.
We cant wait to purchased the "hardware" that allows their "software" to program us. Programmed for total failure, in all aspects of life.
United we once stood, a proud people. And divided we fell, flush with our own shames....THE END.
So much for 'unreasonable search and seizure' -- time to be wary.
The greed of these police people will be their doom.
No one pays attention if an issue like this only
happens to a couple people in the whole country. But now
that it has become thousands of people, things
are getting noticed and a lot of people who normally
would ignore this situation are beginning to stand up
and complain about it.
As for how much to carry? Myself? I carry no more then around
$50.00 and my credit card is only that, a credit card.
I have never had and never will have a debit card.
None of my accounts are linked. So, worse case, they take my credit
card and when I get home I call the credit card company, report it stolen
and say that any charges after the time they took the card are fraudulent.
Imagine if that person took money out of his bank and one of the bank tellers tipped off the police because the police have an agreement with the bank that they will give them a portion of any money that they seize. I wouldn’t put it past anybody to do that.
And some people should not be police...
Every citizen who successfully wins back their money or property needs to routinely be award an equal amount of punitive damages in addition. Only then will the corrupt "law enforcement" community stop to think twice about such armed robbery against the public.
@10:37 Only carry what cash 💸 you can afford to lose 👎 in ASSET FORFEITURE =
road pirate👮 tax!
They don't even check the validity of the property seizure until a CLAIM is made????????? Bastards.
We have a good old saying here in england, Uk....
"Only in America" 😂
We aren't that far behind them matey...
@@blademansw Sad to hear it, but I think the USA walks away with the blue ribbon. www.stloiyf.com/blog
The scope of the law which allows them to do that, should be unconstitutional.
I thought Michigan passed the law to stop this unless it came with a relevant charge?
Baddrivercam You expect government agents in MI to follow law? Really? That's a good one because the accountability laws do not exist and only protections are in place.
The need to change the civil asset forfeiture to civil asset holds and if after reasonable period of time they don't charge and CONVICT you of something involving the asset, you get it back.
Pure insanity and injustice.
Considering the police can seize the change in your cup holder during a search for a cup of coffee at Dunkies, the only safe amount you can carry in your car is $0!
"If we steal your money, there's an expensive process in place, under which you are guilty until proven innocent, to attempt to reclaim your stolen property. Please be advised that even if we can't prove you committed a crime...or even charge you for that matter, we reserve the right to keep a portion or all of your money because....reasons." --MSP (Loosely translated)
In regard to civil forfeiture grabs by city, county, state or federal governmental authorities of any kind, time, or fashion... As someone once wisely said ( or something to this order anyways..) " Evil exists and can flourish when good men do nothing...
So, what happens roadside if you refuse to hand over your cash? They gonna whoop you?
People have cameras, use them.
----We've seen videos taken as people's money is being taken by police and the officer just replied taking the video wouldn't make any difference, they could keep his money.
---- And the officer also mentioned that Civil Asset Forfeiture was his regular job on a daily basis, and admitted this while being video taped!
As a truck driver, I literally see traffic violations ALL DAY LONG. 🤣🤣
He should have refused the search! The person probably thought the cops were honest and said “yeah you can search it”
the provocation for the primary offense - out of state [most likely] plates. most cops target out of state travelers as they tend to 'just pay the ticket'. I had a friend get pulled over numerous times in the same (rural) jurisdiction for minor violations that would not be enforced on locals solely because of the out of state plates on the rental car. When the rental agency provided a rental with in-state plates, the 'harassment' stopped.
Certain personalities are attracted to certain types of jobs. Their profiling can be flipped right back on them. And they can cry some more about how people hate what used to be a respectable career.
Where is the sophist saying there's always one bad apple that makes them all look bad when the entire department finds this behavior acceptable?
They tried to take my 30 thousand in nickels, but they couldn't lift them so they let me go.
It must have been my bad shocks that gave me away.
I saw a case where they took $600 from a girl that she said was her rent money. They took her car too.
These stories are why people do hide their money in weird places, which in turn makes them look shady, which in turn causes another one of these stories.
We call them “Pirates” just like the old days when Pirates would stop trains, ships and walk away with their goods.
But the new pirates carry a badge and a gun, and our supreme court stands behind them. Wonder why? $$$$$$$$$$
Dana Gilliam well said!
ahh..........robbing hoods of sorts.....take from the average and give it to themselves.
There is a guy pulled over in Chillicothe Ohio. They found a couple of pounds of heroin and some other assorted drugs. Largest opioid seizure in county history. It was a one day story. They said they pulled him over for “registration concerns” which I think is code for being a black dude with Michigan plates in southern Ohio.
Bet you will never see a politician or someone in power have this happen to them
It would seem that the news media would at least camp out at the MSP headquarters and ask a few questions.
Cats do this all the time....it is regarded by them as an "offering", a gift to their human companions....
Question when are the law enforcement agencies/ law makers going to be held criminally responsible for bad acts
whoa whoa whoa little Timmy what are you doing with that $20 bill you're going to have to hand that over we think you might have stolen also we were trying to get some lunch later
I'm guessing this guy will definately get arrested now, even if he doesn't deserve it. They'll make something up if they need to. They will think that covers their ass, but it will just make it worse.
My cat used to bring my the dead mice he caught. I fed him bacon every time.
Bet that turned into an insane amount of mice until the population was decimated.
@@i2rtw I bought stock in pork because of it lol
better sue that money...
hopefully the backlash will convince the DA to do the right thing.
Michigan State -Police- Thieves strike again.
Why hasn't the Supreme Court weighed in on this BS.
A coworker had the contents of his wallet confiscated, just several hundred dollars. The officer also took a liking to his baseball cap and took that as well.
just low-level thieves. www.stloiyf.com/blog
How long ago and where was this?
The Michigan State Police are also hiring because they don't pay the Trooper's very well???
What needs to happen is that, every time a person wins the suit to get their money back, the police must also pay ALL attorney's fees plus an additional "inconvenience" fee to the person they took it from plus interest. This would get a lot more attorney's interested in fighting these cases under contingency.
I say defund that police department.
Don't defund them! Reform them and annul Civil Asset Forfeiture.
@@jp6234
I had a 2 mile long post but decided against it because defunding the police and hiring accountable private security is my choice. Think about it this way, Monopolies breed corruption, the police is a monopoly.
The police don't care if they are hated to the point that the people don't want them in their neighborhoods, they can, will, and have ignored the will of the people. If the police are threatened with everything that they find 'normal' being taken away then they might reconsider.
As is right now they think it is fine to commit crimes under color of law, and for the most part they are right because they are the only option.
Kitties are very proud, (and usually quite vocal), of delivering prey to their family. Thankfully, our kitty brings us socks not chipmunks.
Why would the Police State Police need a Twitter account?
to waste more taxpayer dollars. www.stloiyf.com/blog
Thanks for continuing to hammer away at this most egregious and ongoing violation of our constitutional rights.
His money wasn't seized. The fine for following too closely in Michigan is $40,000
Few things are worse than crooked cops, and they are out there.
Thieves react the same way when they find someone with large amounts of money on them. They take it.
Though not by any means proud of this, in my nearly 40 year driving history I have found myself pulled over by police for various infractions numerous times. I have only been asked to consent to a search twice. My question is, how is it that they always seem to know who and what to search so dutifully. I am by no means condoning this, I just feel in all of these publicized events (not just Steve's channel, but others as well) something is always "left out".
When did "serve and protect" become "stand and deliver?"
Transformers: To Punish and Enslave