This needs to change today ! Being in possession of legal currency is not a crime. Also Steve maybe you can answer this question for me... With so many lawyers out there why haven't any of them stepped up to litigate the legality of seizing currency? It's blatantly unconstitutional.
Drain the swamp its not just dc but all local law enforcement. Ppl.have the right to defend themselves. If you feel threatened by ANYONE that is attempting to take your cash,its robery period.and you have the right to defend yourself and your property. By deadly force. If ppl.keep being ,passive, and don't say anything. "They" will keep comming up with ways to rob. 2 words in this,"lawyers" cops. .lawyers work for the queen. Cops are hand picked idiots that have no clue as to the ppl.s rights.dont think they care either. Law enforcement is a busness,like car dealership. They law nolonger serves the ppl.and are a profit driven co. We are" forced" to buy their product. And support the lawyers.they work together on this scaming agenda. It sickening at best. The legesttature has no power to Wright laws.the ppl.have that power not them. They cannot remove any rights.PERIOD! READ THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION AND THEN ACT. IF WE KEEP BENDING OVER TO THIS COUROUPT SYSTEM. THEY WILL WEAR YOUR AZZ HOLE SLICK OUT. WE THE PPL.HAVE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE POWER. THE CROOKS HOWEVER DONT WANT YOU TO KNOW THESE THINGS. JUST FKN READ! THAT DAMN SIMPLE.
It's happened to me twice over 20yrs: My first year as a Used Car dealer, heading from Maine to a CT. Auction...got pulled over on the Mass Pike (for my dealer plate) -- cash ($25k) was in a locked bank deposit bag--my explanation and paperwork legit. Didn't matter. Cash seized and it almost put me out of business. 2yrs later I was going to Florida for Auctions and Vacation . I purchased Amex Travelers Checks (remember those?) as a protection from any Cop BS while travelling. Got pulled over in Georgia , (dealer plate again) and K-9 alerted to my car. No drugs were found, but my Travelers Checks were confiscated . Amex refused to reissue /reimburse me the funds since the Police report indicated possible drug Possession. An expensive pair of lessons in how to do bank to bank wire transfers
This is why more and more people dislike law enforcement..How dare anyone question why people are mad at law enforcement! Do they think citizens should just ignore the crimes cops commit daily all over?
Is it just cash? What’s to stop them from taking anything from you? Example, “ we believe your cell phone has been used to commit a crime hand it over “. Or your car or even the clothes on your back. This is beyond insane!!
They can take your car too. "60 Minutes" segment +15 years ago, featured a country where cops did this all the time. Recently a young Canada girl was pulled over for minor alleged speeding and arrested, car seized. Police officer (lady) claimed it was illegal for a Canadians to drive in USA. Of course that is wrong. She had no bail, no car, no money to make call. She got out eventually, got speeding charge dismissed, and car back, with tow and storage cost. It was a nightmare.
If the Government loses the Civil Law Suit, it's NOT just the Attorney Fees, and Court Costs that should be paid... It should also include Damages, as would any other suit, for Business Deals, Homes, Businesses, that have been lost as a result of such illegal activity...
IF you are carrying any significant amount of cash and you are pulled over by a policeman and asked if you are carrying cash, is that a good time to invoke your right to remain silent?
If your money is not conspicuous, say nothing. If it's a big wad of cash, they have a right to search you. Keep your cash in the glovebox, or better yet, the locked tru k of your car. You have a constitutional protection from illegal searches, don't let them search your car.
I think it was within the last year, year and a half ago that two farmers traveling from their home state to another state to purchase another piece of property in another state when they were stopped. Local police stole $145,000 in cash, even after proof from the seller of the property, the bank, and correspondence between them. 🤬 I've supported LEOs my entire life, until about 3 years ago. Now that's too much clear evidence of criminal behavior among too many in law enforcement. I'm heartbroken 💔 to admit I feel this way, but it's true.
Mr. Lehto, If you ever decide to push the issue of civil asset forfeiture to the supreme court, please announce it so I (and probably many others) can donate towards the expense. Thank you for raising awareness to this blight of justice!
so true this happened to a family member who had a heart attack while driving, passed away at scene of accident and had 10k . money was taken by police and his wife never got the money
Very easy solution. Dont take the money out of your pocket. Dont even tell him what's in your pocket. At that point if the cop goes into your pocket, takes out your money and walks away with it it then becomes an illegal search and you have a whole other case. All your problems start when you give the cops more than you're legally obligated to. Sadly most people blindly follow everything a cop tells them to do.
Do you think that you could successfully sue the officer, police department and county/state in federal court for slander/libel because they said that you were a drug dealer?
Twenty years ago I traveled from LA to northern calif to buy a house. I had 75,000 in cash in the trunk. Only Cow... I had no idea what could have happened.
Nice video, thanks. I live in the Netherlands and here the losing party always has to pay for the lawyers of both parties. This is a fixed and predetermined amount so if you go over it by hiring a very expensive lawyer it is your loss. I think this is a pretty fair system, also it prevents a lot of frivolous cases ever ending in court. In this particular case a police officer would think twice before taking your money, it could cost him dearly. Love your videos, subbed.
I actually went to Ohio from southern Illinois and bought a rv and towed it back home,paid cash,had cash for gas and in case of emergency. I had mine hidden well as I've seen to many videos about this.
Unga Bunga Hiding cash, good idea/bad idea. If it’s not found great, but if they find it they will use the fact that it was hidden as evidence against you, as in “why did you hide it if you were innocent of wrong doing?”
Outrageous. If the govt looses they should be fully liable for all legal fees plus ALL resulting damages. Law enforcement would drastically change if there were any consequences for such (unconstitutional) forfeitures. Civil forfeiture is morally outrageous and must be reversed with the govt on the hook for all damages for their confiscations. It is unconstitutional because there is no proper due process.
Great info. Have to drive round trip across the country soon. I will only carry credit cards and minimum cash after watching this. Police state slowly but surely becoming American way of life.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." -Frederic Bastiat
Lord knows I'll never hurt anyone, unless if warranted, however things like this cause violent people to go against the cops.. Food for thought... In the long run someone somewhere is getting really REALLY sick of criminal cops.
Next time I get stopped and they ask me if I have anything illegal I am going to tell them I “think”I have a bunch of cash inside my transmission pan. Hopefully they will tow it and check to see. I have 4 allen head bolts that are stripped and rusted solid. Shop said it would be $600 to drop the pan. Hopefully they will drop that pan and save me a bunch of money when they put it all back together. I have other cars I can drive while they do it. Lol
Dude thank u so much. Its men like u that our founding fathers wanted in the places of discussion an law making. Not jack boot nazi thugs with badges. If u run for office i would happily promote u an tell everyone i meet to vote for u. We need men like u fighting for us little guys. God bless u sir. Honestly
THIS is why I have lost so much respect for both government and "the law". . .There is ABSOLUTELY no way this can be justified, winked at, or laughed about. I am 68 years old, retired, a college graduate, and never been arrested or in legal trouble of any kind. If I want to drive my car to a relative's home with $5,000 cash on me, (something I obviously would not do just to be safe from being robbed), it should absolutely be none of the government or law enforcement's business. Now if I had often been seen hanging out with drug dealers in the bad part of town and was the subject of surveillance because of that, then if I was found running around with lots of cash I could understand their suspicion. But the fact that they can take money away like this from someone who is not involved in any illegalities and create an almost impossible road to recovering it is despicable. When I was younger I used to mostly respect both the government and the "law". But now, many years later, I find many permutations of the law and those who wrote the laws dishonorable. I also used to think those involved with the "law" were quite smart. Now, I must say that I do not intellectually fear ANYONE involved with creating such ridiculous statutes. They're not really "smart". . .They're just contemptible.
As a poker player I am forced to carry large sums of cash at times, and I am very aware of these unconstitutional laws. When I travel by car I have created a number of places to hide the cash so that it is not on me and not where they will be spotting it without an extensive search which I won't be agreeing to. I have had several friends questioned about cash in their possession when flying off to Poker Tournaments but so far none of them have had their cash taken. I am not sure if these laws extend to the TSA or other federal agencies, but since many poker players will be travelling with $10000 or more in cash flying is a scary proposition if it might be taken.
As a traveler, I have to carry some cash. I will never carry more than $150 cash. I have had a couple of times when I have to pull into a small 1800 looking town to put gas (yes they still exist in the USA), and they did not accept my CC. Another time the machine was broken. At that time, I was lucky that I had $20 in my glove compartment. I sometimes put small bills in 2 or 3 places in my car and ignore them till I need them.
Back in the day, they used to call them 'Highway Men' who waited to rob carriages/coaches traveling by. You need to carry cash to places like yard sales, swap meats, etc..
It’s your business how much you carry, not theirs. You don’t have to have a reason, other than you want to. We should not have to prove that we’re innocent. It’s the government’s job to prove we’re guilty, should they have the evidence to do so.
(a) Don't keep a large amount of cash on your body when in a vehicle. If you get pulled over, the cop can ask you to step out of your vehicle and do a pat-down search - thus finding the cash. If you put the cash, out of sight in your vehicle, then they cannot search your vehicle, unless you are stupid enough to say yes when they ask to search you vehicle. (b) Cop ever "stole" a large sum of cash from me, he'd better be watching his back for the rest of his life!!
Being Swedish I have always thought the massive levels of distrust towards the government in the U.S was strange. This helps explain some of it. Here the losing side in a court-case normally pays the lawyers fees for the winning side.
Because they've pissed all over the Constitution with all these "Executive Orders", which should ALL be rescinded, immediately. Without the purity of our Constitution, America will only fall into being exactly what those fanatical nut jobs profess America is, already. "The Great Satan", etc...in case you are unaware of such things.
If you have to carry the cash then: 1) Put it in a stamped and sealed envelope (scotch tape it securely) addressed to yourself or your business attorney (even better). Have a cover letter inside to your attorney, you should discuss this in general with them first, directing them to hold the envelope and its contents securely for you. Make sure to use the proper amount of stamps or more. Include some legal paperwork in the envelope so it doesn't just look like a bundle of bills and also to reinforce its status as a legal document. 2) Place the envelope in a secure, preferably metal, high quality securely locked briefcase together with some legsl documents that prove your legitimate ownership of the cash. If you're carrying it for a business transaction then have every piece of legal paperwork in the briefcase too. Have your business lawyer's card in the briefcase in addition to your wallet. 3) Put the locked briefcase in you trunk and have it surrounded by other items in there. Don't try to make it look hidden, just not at all obvious. 4) Take pictures of the cash, the envelope contents with the cash, the envelope contents in the envelope and the sealed and stamped envelope. Then more pictures of the envelope in the briefcase along with pictures of the legal documents in the briefcase and the envelope and the contents together in the briefcase. More pictures of the locked briefcase. Videos of all of this too. Then more pictures and video of the briefcase as you have olaced it in the trunk along with the other contents of the trunk. 5) If you're dealing with a substantial amount of cash then go to a notary and have them certify a collection of the videos and pictures describing what they contain. Store in a secure place. Store several hard and electronic copies of all the records in different secure places. 6) Don't consent to any searches of your car and especially not your trunk. Get some dashcams to record your car's movements and also to record any transact up ons with any officers stopping your car at your driver's window and another one back onto your passenger compartment and also your rear window so the trunk is visible. Obviously you need audio on the dashcam footage. Make so you can upload the feed live to one or more secure sites. 7) Don't discuss with anyone that you are carrying a substantial amount of cash in your vehicle. The multiple layers of security for the cash would make it extremely difficult for police to justify a search of your car and especially your trunk. If you are forced, and only if you are forced, to say anything about the contents of the briefcase they are legal documents. Also that everything is being recorded and uploaded. The same for the envelope, which is intended to be mailed, preferably to your attorney. If this ever gets to court you already have a civil rights case against the police and they'll know it. They probably wouldn't even do an illegal search of your passenger apartment. I'd be very careful of the briefcase on an extended trip where you'll stop several times and probably carry it with me on extended stops. I'd also park in very secure areas. Whatever money you spend doing this is minimal in porportion to your potential loss and the damage to your piece of mind. While I say all of this, on several occasions I've had to carry substantial amounts cash in excess of $10,000 from customers for business transactions back to my company. I never had the cash on me for more than a day and my office was aware of it. I always put the cash in a sealed envelope with the contracts and receipts. I still sweated until I was back in the office and receipted the cash. Then the accountant had to sweat until it was deposited in our financial institute institution. We were more afraid of cops stealing it under seizure laws than criminals.
Here in the UK, there 1st needs to be reasonable grounds for a search, person or vehicle, and the cop needs to explain them. THEN, if you have more than £1,000 (approx US$1,385) it may be seized if you cannot explain it. With modern banking apps, you could show your savings growing, the email/text/message convo for the purchase, and the withdrawal of the money, & it’s explained. If it Is seized, and you can later prove it’s legit, you get it back & you don’t have to pay legal fees. It’s a good system, as your average drug dealer does not bank their money, until way higher up, by which time they have “legitimate businesses” to launder the money. That then becomes a specialised investigation not done by local cops. But a stop search revealing you got loads of money, Could result in an intelligence report going to the necessary team to look into you possibly money laundering. Thus, you’re unlikely to get away with it for ever.
In 2019, most police departments are policing for profit. Most cities say they don't have the money for emergency services, while having the money for librarians, secretary's, etc. Police have to give tickets to keep their jobs. Doesn't matter how much we pay in property taxes. Pathetic.
Years ago, in Indiana I believe, they tried to pass a law that the organizations that do the civil asset forfeiture (CAF) would not benefit from the seizures. The seizure would go to the state, thus removing a lot of the incentive to do CAF. This was resoundingly defeated. Note that this would have not made CAF illegal, but even this minimal rejection of current policy was rejected by the state legislature.
That's why the cops are now called Highway Bandits. In a time where cops are held in low esteem, this doesn't help them one bit. Part of law enforcement is public trust. This in no way fostering public trust.
This happened to me twice! first time I was moving cross state had around 10 grand in my money belt which the trooper never found. The second time I was on my way to buy a car and I also had 10 grand. This time, I knew about civil forfeiture laws so I was prepared. When the trooper asked, I copped to the 10 grand right away and he found it! ....Now here is the twist.... I had a cashier's check made out to the dealership before hitting the road! The morning of the sale I went to the bank and I actually planned on taking out cash for the transaction, but decided against it. Paying cash would have saved me the $5 fee US Bank charges for processing a bank check. This used to be a fee-free function when US Bank carried my mortgage but when I refinanced with another lender, that perk went away! I didn't care about the $5 buck but I figured that a bank check was a lot safer than carrying cash during a road trip. Anyway, the trooper asked me where I was going and when I told him I was on my way to buy a car, he immediately asked if I had cash. I told him I had 10 grand and before I could explain that it was in the form of a check, he asked me to produce it...so I did! As soon as Barney Fife saw the bank check, it was like someone crapped in Aunt B's apple pie! When he left, he just left! He said be careful and pulled off. It was like his big fish snapped the line and got away! When he initially pulled me over, he said it was because I "swerved a little" Yeah...right! However, when he left, he mentioned nothing about the swerving and just said be careful! This is nothing more than legalized robbery! Anyway, great video! Big Thumbs Up!!!
The police have a script that is designed to get you to speak words that can fit into the category of being a confession. As an example, it's often asked do you know how fast you were going? If you say something like, well I guess maybe 5 mph over. That makes their case for them, you just confessed to speeding. (And by saying I guess, your opinion is now invalid in court.) Next, they can take that anywhere they want to amplify your fine. So, if you can throw them off their script, it could serve as reasonable doubt. So that might be enough for an officer to take the easy way out and just let you go. After all, the next motorist will probably offer up an easy confession. Because that is what their script is designed to get people to answer with.
Citizens NEED the right to sue for damages, attorney fees, and other expenses associated with recovering their stolen cash from these 'government officials' . They are obviously not here to serve their country, but their own interests... I wonder how much of that money goes home with them at the end of their shift...
I like how you demonstrated a problem with the law, then offered a logical solution. In another video of yours, you mentioned there are many laws which need revision, or elimination. Perhaps, with your expertise, you could do the same for all those laws. And don't give up. Keep demonstrating the problems and their logical solutions. If no one mentions a flawed law, no one ever thinks to fix it. The more attention these problems get, the more likely they are to be solved.
I have one question I'm 63yrs of age if armed robbery is legal by police what is next I think the car your has been used in a crime so they take your car???
NO! They must give the money back the moment they allow you to go free. If they don't charge you with possession of proceeds of a criminal act or your arrested and your not found guilty of a criminal act that the money came from; the municipality should have to pay the legal fees AND there should be punitive damages at 400%. What you just described is highway robbery the only difference is the criminal is wearing a police uniform at the time of the robbery.
Fifth Amendment to the Constitution: No person ......shall be deprived of life, liberty, or PROPERTY without DUE PROCESS OF LAW;... where are the constitutional scholars, the ACLU etc on this?
Steve, I can't thank you enough for bringing this to our attention, I've shared this with as many people as possible and ask that them to share it with as many people as they can, thank you very much
Hi. Steve. Love your talks on legal things. I live in Saskatchewan Canada. And realize laws here may be not exactly the same. But still very informative. Im retired now and love my old cars tractors and harleys etc. Got every thing paid for now im retired. Out on my acerage out in the contry.Just a workin guy all my life and dont keep much money in banks. In case of so many ways gov. Etc. Can seize your account. So keep up the great vids. You seem like a really cool fellow. Thanks.
They were once called 'highwaymen', or at sea they were called 'pirates'.. We now have government sanctioned highwaymen. The criminals govern the roadways.. If you carry cash, find a good way to hide it in your car, don't consent to a search, and don't say a word about the cash, in fact it's best not to speak to the cops any more than necessary, be polite, but keep your mouth shut.
Steve, great information about police theft. Another way to avoid this crime is to contact your bank 🏦 and let them know that you are making a large purchase in another state. When you arrive in the other state to make purchase, then you go to your bank in that state and get the money 💰 🤣 😏. Love 💘 ya Steve and thanks
I'm not a lawyer so what I'm suggesting may be completely out of line. How difficult could it be to file and sue the government without a lawyer? You're innocent, you can show where the money came from. How could law enforcement argue against it? Wouldn't getting a lawyer and sueing to get your money back be better than just letting them have the money? Even if it cost you as much as they stole, it would be worth it. You've already lost the money, at least you could deny them from using it. If more people sued and recovered maybe they would ease up.
Keep in mind the money isnt sitting in some lockup.most of it goes into a slush fund where they are earning interest on it.ive seen sick storys of cops going on vacations and all sorts of things on seized money.
Awesome knowledge. This will disappear when cashless monetary system kicks in. The only money in my car are quarters for the car wash. And remember, on ALL traffic stops and anything involving law enforcement enter-actions, RECORD EVERYTHING.
Civil forfeiture is SO FREAKING UNCONSTITUTIONAL I do not see how they are not struck down by the first, last, and EVERY judge who sees this!!!!! Actually there has been Excessive Fines Clause cases that are trimming down on this.
It's worth remembering that it's not just about cash. Heading home after Grandma's funeral with the stuff she left you in her will? That jewelry MIGHT be from a burglary, right?
My own advice regarding civil forfeiture. If you can afford to spend $10,000 fighting the civil forfeiture of even a single dollar, fight it. Principle is worth more than money.
15:35... In my state, Every time I've won in small claims court, the losing party has been required to pay all of my out-of-pocket costs and my time spent at my normal hourly charge rate, in addition to the amount I originally brought claim about. This needs to be the same when we are ever forced to sue the government and win.
![Watch Cops Seize Combat Vet's Life Savings [RARE FOOTAGE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MkeS_0NQUZs/mqdefault.jpg)
Civil forfeiture makes my blood boil.
I have never understood how civil forfeiture laws pass a 4th amendment challenge.
I guess "defund the police" has an argument..motorists sure know..
And the police wonder why the general public do not trust nor support them.
Should be able to sue the cops for triple damages for illegal search and seizure. If they steal $2500, they have to pay $7500.
Just remember: The State doesn't fight crime because it's concerned about community health. It fights crime because it doesn't like the competition.
This needs to change today ! Being in possession of legal currency is not a crime. Also Steve maybe you can answer this question for me... With so many lawyers out there why haven't any of them stepped up to litigate the legality of seizing currency? It's blatantly unconstitutional.
A person with a gun stops you on the road and steals your money? Most countries call that Armed Robbery.
But they wear a neat costume while doing it.
With the support of the judiciary.
Drain the swamp its not just dc but all local law enforcement.
Ppl.have the right to defend themselves.
If you feel threatened by ANYONE that is attempting to take your cash,its robery period.and you have the right to defend yourself and your property. By deadly force.
If ppl.keep being ,passive, and
don't say anything.
"They" will keep comming up with ways to rob.
2 words in this,"lawyers" cops.
.lawyers work for the queen.
Cops are hand picked idiots that have no clue as to the ppl.s rights.dont think they care either.
Law enforcement is a busness,like car dealership.
They law nolonger serves the ppl.and are a profit driven co.
We are" forced" to buy their product. And support the lawyers.they work together on this scaming agenda.
It sickening at best.
The legesttature has no power to Wright laws.the ppl.have that power not them.
They cannot remove any rights.PERIOD!
READ THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION AND THEN ACT.
IF WE KEEP BENDING OVER TO THIS COUROUPT SYSTEM.
THEY WILL WEAR YOUR AZZ HOLE SLICK OUT.
WE THE PPL.HAVE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE POWER.
THE CROOKS HOWEVER DONT WANT YOU TO KNOW THESE THINGS.
JUST FKN READ! THAT DAMN SIMPLE.
It’s not a weird and convoluted law, it’s an overpowered and unchecked government at work.
It's happened to me twice over 20yrs: My first year as a Used Car dealer, heading from Maine to a CT. Auction...got pulled over on the Mass Pike (for my dealer plate) -- cash ($25k) was in a locked bank deposit bag--my explanation and paperwork legit. Didn't matter. Cash seized and it almost put me out of business. 2yrs later I was going to Florida for Auctions and Vacation . I purchased Amex Travelers Checks (remember those?) as a protection from any Cop BS while travelling. Got pulled over in Georgia , (dealer plate again) and K-9 alerted to my car. No drugs were found, but my Travelers Checks were confiscated . Amex refused to reissue /reimburse me the funds since the Police report indicated possible drug Possession. An expensive pair of lessons in how to do bank to bank wire transfers
Politicians that can’t understand why there is so much distrust of government and politicians need to watch this video.
Our government in Canada issues a warning to not travel to the US with cash. Police engaged in highway robbery.
This is why more and more people dislike law enforcement..How dare anyone question why people are mad at law enforcement! Do they think citizens should just ignore the crimes cops commit daily all over?
Bible moment!
Love shall wax cold due to
Lawlessness abounding!
Is it just cash? What’s to stop them from taking anything from you? Example, “ we believe your cell phone has been used to commit a crime hand it over “. Or your car or even the clothes on your back. This is beyond insane!!
They can take your car too. "60 Minutes" segment +15 years ago, featured a country where cops did this all the time. Recently a young Canada girl was pulled over for minor alleged speeding and arrested, car seized. Police officer (lady) claimed it was illegal for a Canadians to drive in USA. Of course that is wrong. She had no bail, no car, no money to make call. She got out eventually, got speeding charge dismissed, and car back, with tow and storage cost. It was a nightmare.
The town of Castleberry,Al fired the mayor the police cheif and 5 cops for asset forfeiture.
And cops wonder why people have no respect for them! Criminals don’t get respect!
Steve, thank you for bringing this egregious violation of public trust and blatant violation of Civil Rights to the attention of your viewers.
If the Government loses the Civil Law Suit, it's NOT just the Attorney Fees, and Court Costs that should be paid... It should also include Damages, as would any other suit, for Business Deals, Homes, Businesses, that have been lost as a result of such illegal activity...
IF you are carrying any significant amount of cash and you are pulled over by a policeman and asked if you are carrying cash, is that a good time to invoke your right to remain silent?
If your money is not conspicuous, say nothing. If it's a big wad of cash, they have a right to search you. Keep your cash in the glovebox, or better yet, the locked tru k of your car. You have a constitutional protection from illegal searches, don't let them search your car.
Never saying anything substantial to a cop is good policy
I think it was within the last year, year and a half ago that two farmers traveling from their home state to another state to purchase another piece of property in another state when they were stopped. Local police stole $145,000 in cash, even after proof from the seller of the property, the bank, and correspondence between them. 🤬 I've supported LEOs my entire life, until about 3 years ago. Now that's too much clear evidence of criminal behavior among too many in law enforcement. I'm heartbroken 💔 to admit I feel this way, but it's true.
Mr. Lehto,
If you ever decide to push the issue of civil asset forfeiture to the supreme court, please announce it so I (and probably many others) can donate towards the expense. Thank you for raising awareness to this blight of justice!
So every out-of-state license plate is a moving scratch-off ticket for local law enforcement.
so true this happened to a family member who had a heart attack while driving, passed away at scene of accident and had 10k . money was taken by police and his wife never got the money
Don't tell me!!!!!!!
That is beyond messed up
They should not only pay attorney fees and court cost but also interest on money taken.
All Americans need to listen to this @
this is your Freedom! "Knowledge Will Forever Govern Ignorance"
Very easy solution. Dont take the money out of your pocket. Dont even tell him what's in your pocket. At that point if the cop goes into your pocket, takes out your money and walks away with it it then becomes an illegal search and you have a whole other case. All your problems start when you give the cops more than you're legally obligated to. Sadly most people blindly follow everything a cop tells them to do.
"police say he appeared to be nervous" lol! I would be nervous too if I thought the police were going to steal my money
Do you think that you could successfully sue the officer, police department and county/state in federal court for slander/libel because they said that you were a drug dealer?
Twenty years ago I traveled from LA to northern calif to buy a house. I had 75,000 in cash in the trunk. Only Cow... I had no idea what could have happened.
After watching this video, I’m beginning to think that defunding the police isn’t such a bad idea.
How is this not Unconstitutional, based on 4th Amendment protections against search and seizure?
If not guilty the city or county or state should not pay for court costs, make the officer 100% responsible for his actions and make him pay.
Nice video, thanks. I live in the Netherlands and here the losing party always has to pay for the lawyers of both parties. This is a fixed and predetermined amount so if you go over it by hiring a very expensive lawyer it is your loss. I think this is a pretty fair system, also it prevents a lot of frivolous cases ever ending in court. In this particular case a police officer would think twice before taking your money, it could cost him dearly. Love your videos, subbed.
How often is correct amount reported? Say they confiscate $10000 trooper claims he found $8000 keeps $2000
I actually went to Ohio from southern Illinois and bought a rv and towed it back home,paid cash,had cash for gas and in case of emergency. I had mine hidden well as I've seen to many videos about this.
What stops them from doing this to armored trucks lol
Catch business owners and management on the way to make deposits.
Unga Bunga Hiding cash, good idea/bad idea. If it’s not found great, but if they find it they will use the fact that it was hidden as evidence against you, as in “why did you hide it if you were innocent of wrong doing?”
Outrageous. If the govt looses they should be fully liable for all legal fees plus ALL resulting damages. Law enforcement would drastically change if there were any consequences for such (unconstitutional) forfeitures. Civil forfeiture is morally outrageous and must be reversed with the govt on the hook for all damages for their confiscations. It is unconstitutional because there is no proper due process.
Patriot act my friend. Pretty much shattered any illusion of the government honoring the constitution.
Great info. Have to drive round trip across the country soon. I will only carry credit cards and minimum cash after watching this. Police state slowly but surely becoming American way of life.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."
-Frederic Bastiat
Lord knows I'll never hurt anyone, unless if warranted, however things like this cause violent people to go against the cops.. Food for thought... In the long run someone somewhere is getting really REALLY sick of criminal cops.
Next time I get stopped and they ask me if I have anything illegal I am going to tell them I “think”I have a bunch of cash inside my transmission pan. Hopefully they will tow it and check to see. I have 4 allen head bolts that are stripped and rusted solid. Shop said it would be $600 to drop the pan. Hopefully they will drop that pan and save me a bunch of money when they put it all back together. I have other cars I can drive while they do it. Lol
Yea, outsmart them, haha!!!
Somehow, they'd still hit you for the bill. Even for the tow bill.
Then, they'd leave your car, with the transmission pan dropped and the car not running, in a impound lot and charge you a per-day fee.
Dude thank u so much. Its men like u that our founding fathers wanted in the places of discussion an law making. Not jack boot nazi thugs with badges. If u run for office i would happily promote u an tell everyone i meet to vote for u. We need men like u fighting for us little guys. God bless u sir. Honestly
Punished and criminal until proven innocent at the cost of livelihood and legally owned money. This law is insane.
THIS is why I have lost so much respect for both government and "the law". . .There is ABSOLUTELY no way this can be justified, winked at, or laughed about. I am 68 years old, retired, a college graduate, and never been arrested or in legal trouble of any kind. If I want to drive my car to a relative's home with $5,000 cash on me, (something I obviously would not do just to be safe from being robbed), it should absolutely be none of the government or law enforcement's business. Now if I had often been seen hanging out with drug dealers in the bad part of town and was the subject of surveillance because of that, then if I was found running around with lots of cash I could understand their suspicion. But the fact that they can take money away like this from someone who is not involved in any illegalities and create an almost impossible road to recovering it is despicable. When I was younger I used to mostly respect both the government and the "law". But now, many years later, I find many permutations of the law and those who wrote the laws dishonorable. I also used to think those involved with the "law" were quite smart. Now, I must say that I do not intellectually fear ANYONE involved with creating such ridiculous statutes. They're not really "smart". . .They're just contemptible.
As a poker player I am forced to carry large sums of cash at times, and I am very aware of these unconstitutional laws. When I travel by car I have created a number of places to hide the cash so that it is not on me and not where they will be spotting it without an extensive search which I won't be agreeing to. I have had several friends questioned about cash in their possession when flying off to Poker Tournaments but so far none of them have had their cash taken.
I am not sure if these laws extend to the TSA or other federal agencies, but since many poker players will be travelling with $10000 or more in cash flying is a scary proposition if it might be taken.
Good luck with that:
Google this:
MINI Z Backscatter imaging
As a traveler, I have to carry some cash. I will never carry more than $150 cash. I have had a couple of times when I have to pull into a small 1800 looking town to put gas (yes they still exist in the USA), and they did not accept my CC. Another time the machine was broken. At that time, I was lucky that I had $20 in my glove compartment. I sometimes put small bills in 2 or 3 places in my car and ignore them till I need them.
Back in the day, they used to call them 'Highway Men' who waited to rob carriages/coaches traveling by.
You need to carry cash to places like yard sales, swap meats, etc..
It’s your business how much you carry, not theirs. You don’t have to have a reason, other than you want to. We should not have to prove that we’re innocent. It’s the government’s job to prove we’re guilty, should they have the evidence to do so.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
(a) Don't keep a large amount of cash on your body when in a vehicle. If you get pulled over, the cop can ask you to step out of your vehicle and do a pat-down search - thus finding the cash. If you put the cash, out of sight in your vehicle, then they cannot search your vehicle, unless you are stupid enough to say yes when they ask to search you vehicle.
(b) Cop ever "stole" a large sum of cash from me, he'd better be watching his back for the rest of his life!!
Being Swedish I have always thought the massive levels of distrust towards the government in the U.S was strange. This helps explain some of it. Here the losing side in a court-case normally pays the lawyers fees for the winning side.
Proverbs 29:2, When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
It's simple thuggery and racketeering under the guise of law enforcement.
How does this get around due process rights? "...nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..."
Because they've pissed all over the Constitution with all these "Executive Orders", which should ALL be rescinded, immediately. Without the purity of our Constitution, America will only fall into being exactly what those fanatical nut jobs profess America is, already. "The Great Satan", etc...in case you are unaware of such things.
If you have to carry the cash then:
1) Put it in a stamped and sealed envelope (scotch tape it securely) addressed to yourself or your business attorney (even better). Have a cover letter inside to your attorney, you should discuss this in general with them first, directing them to hold the envelope and its contents securely for you. Make sure to use the proper amount of stamps or more. Include some legal paperwork in the envelope so it doesn't just look like a bundle of bills and also to reinforce its status as a legal document.
2) Place the envelope in a secure, preferably metal, high quality securely locked briefcase together with some legsl documents that prove your legitimate ownership of the cash. If you're carrying it for a business transaction then have every piece of legal paperwork in the briefcase too. Have your business lawyer's card in the briefcase in addition to your wallet.
3) Put the locked briefcase in you trunk and have it surrounded by other items in there. Don't try to make it look hidden, just not at all obvious.
4) Take pictures of the cash, the envelope contents with the cash, the envelope contents in the envelope and the sealed and stamped envelope. Then more pictures of the envelope in the briefcase along with pictures of the legal documents in the briefcase and the envelope and the contents together in the briefcase. More pictures of the locked briefcase. Videos of all of this too. Then more pictures and video of the briefcase as you have olaced it in the trunk along with the other contents of the trunk.
5) If you're dealing with a substantial amount of cash then go to a notary and have them certify a collection of the videos and pictures describing what they contain. Store in a secure place. Store several hard and electronic copies of all the records in different secure places.
6) Don't consent to any searches of your car and especially not your trunk. Get some dashcams to record your car's movements and also to record any transact up ons with any officers stopping your car at your driver's window and another one back onto your passenger compartment and also your rear window so the trunk is visible. Obviously you need audio on the dashcam footage. Make so you can upload the feed live to one or more secure sites.
7) Don't discuss with anyone that you are carrying a substantial amount of cash in your vehicle.
The multiple layers of security for the cash would make it extremely difficult for police to justify a search of your car and especially your trunk. If you are forced, and only if you are forced, to say anything about the contents of the briefcase they are legal documents. Also that everything is being recorded and uploaded. The same for the envelope, which is intended to be mailed, preferably to your attorney. If this ever gets to court you already have a civil rights case against the police and they'll know it. They probably wouldn't even do an illegal search of your passenger apartment.
I'd be very careful of the briefcase on an extended trip where you'll stop several times and probably carry it with me on extended stops. I'd also park in very secure areas. Whatever money you spend doing this is minimal in porportion to your potential loss and the damage to your piece of mind.
While I say all of this, on several occasions I've had to carry substantial amounts cash in excess of $10,000 from customers for business transactions back to my company. I never had the cash on me for more than a day and my office was aware of it. I always put the cash in a sealed envelope with the contracts and receipts. I still sweated until I was back in the office and receipted the cash. Then the accountant had to sweat until it was deposited in our financial institute institution. We were more afraid of cops stealing it under seizure laws than criminals.
Let’s be realistic. The ONLY “fix” is 1776 2.0
@Donald Mickunas it is either give our lives, or our children's, and grand children's, and great gra............
Here in the UK, there 1st needs to be reasonable grounds for a search, person or vehicle, and the cop needs to explain them. THEN, if you have more than £1,000 (approx US$1,385) it may be seized if you cannot explain it. With modern banking apps, you could show your savings growing, the email/text/message convo for the purchase, and the withdrawal of the money, & it’s explained. If it Is seized, and you can later prove it’s legit, you get it back & you don’t have to pay legal fees.
It’s a good system, as your average drug dealer does not bank their money, until way higher up, by which time they have “legitimate businesses” to launder the money. That then becomes a specialised investigation not done by local cops. But a stop search revealing you got loads of money, Could result in an intelligence report going to the necessary team to look into you possibly money laundering. Thus, you’re unlikely to get away with it for ever.
In 2019, most police departments are policing for profit. Most cities say they don't have the money for emergency services, while having the money for librarians, secretary's, etc. Police have to give tickets to keep their jobs. Doesn't matter how much we pay in property taxes. Pathetic.
That’s what you call highway robbery.
Years ago, in Indiana I believe, they tried to pass a law that the organizations that do the civil asset forfeiture (CAF) would not benefit from the seizures. The seizure would go to the state, thus removing a lot of the incentive to do CAF. This was resoundingly defeated. Note that this would have not made CAF illegal, but even this minimal rejection of current policy was rejected by the state legislature.
I also heard they are taking cash from people at train stations bus stations and airports.
That's why the cops are now called Highway Bandits. In a time where cops are held in low esteem, this doesn't help them one bit. Part of law enforcement is public trust. This in no way fostering public trust.
Law enforcement eroding public confidence, one dirty act at a time.
This happened to me twice! first time I was moving cross state had around 10 grand in my money belt which the trooper never found. The second time I was on my way to buy a car and I also had 10 grand. This time, I knew about civil forfeiture laws so I was prepared. When the trooper asked, I copped to the 10 grand right away and he found it! ....Now here is the twist.... I had a cashier's check made out to the dealership before hitting the road! The morning of the sale I went to the bank and I actually planned on taking out cash for the transaction, but decided against it. Paying cash would have saved me the $5 fee US Bank charges for processing a bank check. This used to be a fee-free function when US Bank carried my mortgage but when I refinanced with another lender, that perk went away! I didn't care about the $5 buck but I figured that a bank check was a lot safer than carrying cash during a road trip. Anyway, the trooper asked me where I was going and when I told him I was on my way to buy a car, he immediately asked if I had cash. I told him I had 10 grand and before I could explain that it was in the form of a check, he asked me to produce it...so I did! As soon as Barney Fife saw the bank check, it was like someone crapped in Aunt B's apple pie! When he left, he just left! He said be careful and pulled off. It was like his big fish snapped the line and got away! When he initially pulled me over, he said it was because I "swerved a little" Yeah...right! However, when he left, he mentioned nothing about the swerving and just said be careful! This is nothing more than legalized robbery! Anyway, great video! Big Thumbs Up!!!
The police have a script that is designed to get you to speak words that can fit into the category of being a confession. As an example, it's often asked do you know how fast you were going? If you say something like, well I guess maybe 5 mph over. That makes their case for them, you just confessed to speeding. (And by saying I guess, your opinion is now invalid in court.) Next, they can take that anywhere they want to amplify your fine.
So, if you can throw them off their script, it could serve as reasonable doubt. So that might be enough for an officer to take the easy way out and just let you go. After all, the next motorist will probably offer up an easy confession. Because that is what their script is designed to get people to answer with.
Citizens NEED the right to sue for damages, attorney fees, and other expenses associated with recovering their stolen cash from these 'government officials' . They are obviously not here to serve their country, but their own interests... I wonder how much of that money goes home with them at the end of their shift...
Whats to stop a cop from just saying fuck it and keeping it for himself. Its cash, theres no paper trail
re: "Whats to stop a cop from just saying fuck it and keeping it for himself."
Re tri bution.
The "cops" doing this ARE the armed robbers. The law breakers, Not us !!
I like how you demonstrated a problem with the law, then offered a logical solution. In another video of yours, you mentioned there are many laws which need revision, or elimination. Perhaps, with your expertise, you could do the same for all those laws. And don't give up. Keep demonstrating the problems and their logical solutions. If no one mentions a flawed law, no one ever thinks to fix it. The more attention these problems get, the more likely they are to be solved.
Carry travelers checks that piss’s them off never talk to police to start with
The more I watch Steve's videos, the more I find out how unbelievably fucked up the U.S. is. Fortunately I don't live there.
I have one question I'm 63yrs of age if armed robbery is legal by police what is next I think the car your has been used in a crime so they take your car???
They can already do that.
NO! They must give the money back the moment they allow you to go free. If they don't charge you with possession of proceeds of a criminal act or your arrested and your not found guilty of a criminal act that the money came from; the municipality should have to pay the legal fees AND there should be punitive damages at 400%. What you just described is highway robbery the only difference is the criminal is wearing a police uniform at the time of the robbery.
Wow I cannot believe that There were times when I drove a car with 20000 cash and from now on no more cash
Fifth Amendment to the Constitution: No person ......shall be deprived of life, liberty, or PROPERTY without DUE PROCESS OF LAW;... where are the constitutional scholars, the ACLU etc on this?
Supreme Court has already ruled. Don't blame the scholars for this one.
That's robbery, plain and simple!
Steve, I can't thank you enough for bringing this to our attention, I've shared this with as many people as possible and ask that them to share it with as many people as they can, thank you very much
A cop can ruin your day faster than any gang member? God help us!
I have to ask myself …..how many of these cops don't report the money being taken, and just keep it?
Some even do it with drug seizures. Take it and keep it. No report, no records of it. And then what happens to it? Hmmmmm
Put the money in the trunk and refuse a search
Hi. Steve. Love your talks on legal things. I live in Saskatchewan Canada. And realize laws here may be not exactly the same. But still very informative. Im retired now and love my old cars tractors and harleys etc. Got every thing paid for now im retired. Out on my acerage out in the contry.Just a workin guy all my life and dont keep much money in banks. In case of so many ways gov. Etc. Can seize your account. So keep up the great vids. You seem like a really cool fellow. Thanks.
It's simple.......make civil forfeiture illegal. Throw it out
"Can I see your money?"
Who the hell says yes to this?
Between the corrupt cops and the criminals......I'll rather take my chance with the criminals.
They were once called 'highwaymen', or at sea they were called 'pirates'..
We now have government sanctioned highwaymen. The criminals govern the roadways.. If you carry cash, find a good way to hide it in your car, don't consent to a search, and don't say a word about the cash, in fact it's best not to speak to the cops any more than necessary, be polite, but keep your mouth shut.
I had 24k in cash on me last month to buy a truck sure glad I never got pulled over
Don't consent to being searched for a minor traffic violation.
Christopher Lammert They will do it anyways. They don’t care if you consent or not.
If the cops took your money and no crime, claim triple what they took.
The police aren't doing anything illegal. They have a duty to uphold the laws. Civil Forfeiture is legal.
Steve, great information about police theft.
Another way to avoid this crime is to contact your bank 🏦 and let them know that you are making a large purchase in another state. When you arrive in the other state to make purchase, then you go to your bank in that state and get the money 💰 🤣 😏.
Love 💘 ya Steve and thanks
I think the term for cops that do this is "highwayman".
we the people must take our country back
I'm not a lawyer so what I'm suggesting may be completely out of line. How difficult could it be to file and sue the government without a lawyer? You're innocent, you can show where the money came from. How could law enforcement argue against it?
Wouldn't getting a lawyer and sueing to get your money back be better than just letting them have the money? Even if it cost you as much as they stole, it would be worth it. You've already lost the money, at least you could deny them from using it. If more people sued and recovered maybe they would ease up.
Keep in mind the money isnt sitting in some lockup.most of it goes into a slush fund where they are earning interest on it.ive seen sick storys of cops going on vacations and all sorts of things on seized money.
Awesome knowledge. This will disappear when cashless monetary system kicks in. The only money in my car are quarters for the car wash. And remember, on ALL traffic stops and anything involving law enforcement enter-actions, RECORD EVERYTHING.
So road side robbery at gun point ( cops have guns) is ok as long as you have a badge. But is a crime if you don't have a badge.
Steve we need an update on this.
Thanks for your solution however a better solution is that the government can’t take your property at all- regardless of how you acquired it.
Civil forfeiture is SO FREAKING UNCONSTITUTIONAL I do not see how they are not struck down by the first, last, and EVERY judge who sees this!!!!! Actually there has been Excessive Fines Clause cases that are trimming down on this.
Highway robbery - I'm changing my mind about POLICE
It's worth remembering that it's not just about cash. Heading home after Grandma's funeral with the stuff she left you in her will? That jewelry MIGHT be from a burglary, right?
Wasn't the American Revolution started from the same act?
Tea. Tea party. We changed over to coffee as a result ...
Pretty sure it was tea.
My own advice regarding civil forfeiture. If you can afford to spend $10,000 fighting the civil forfeiture of even a single dollar, fight it. Principle is worth more than money.
15:35...
In my state, Every time I've won in small claims court, the losing party has been required to pay all of my out-of-pocket costs and my time spent at my normal hourly charge rate, in addition to the amount I originally brought claim about.
This needs to be the same when we are ever forced to sue the government and win.
Sue individual cop in civil court
Government can take a lot more than just money from you without you ever having to do anything even remotely illegal. Believe it.
Ok. So they're taking money from people who haven't even been charged with, let alone convicted of a crime. How is that different from any other tax?
It is different because it is being done on the spot by a person with a gun.