While total asset seizures by Minnesota law enforcement trended downward for the third consecutive year, asset seizures in Minneapolis skyrocketed in 2024, nearly tripling the amount from 2023.
According to the recently released asset forfeiture report, the Minneapolis Police Department netted $469,566 from state forfeitures in 2024, up from just $157,375 in 2023. In most cases, asset forfeiture occurs when police seize valuables from individuals who have yet to be convicted of a crime. Despite the fact that we live in a country where you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, police can legally seize certain assets when you’re arrested for a crime, and getting them back is a major pain in the butt. So much so that in 88% of DUI or drug cases in 2024, the forfeiture proceeded without legal dispute from the citizen. In other words, when Minnesotans have their property seized by police, they typically walk away from it instead of challenging the forfeiture, even though they have yet to be convicted of a crime.
The American Civil Liberties Union says the practice of police asset seizure incentivizes “policing for profit” because law enforcement gets to keep the proceeds from these forfeitures. Minnesota lawmakers tightened forfeiture laws in 2010 and 2021 after investigations revealed that the illegal seizure of property was oftentimes being used for individual profit or to fund a trip to Hawaii. The 2021 reform prohibited law enforcement agencies from seizing less than $1,500 in cash unless there’s probable cause to believe the money was involved in buying drugs.
Since the 2021 reform, gross asset seizure has dropped significantly across Minnesota, but the tab is still quite hefty:
2021 – $10,980,473
2022 – $9,028,740
2023 – $6,182,918
2024 – $5,570,902
“The bipartisan forfeiture legislation passed in 2021 is doing what it was meant to do — restore civil liberties and focus on the most serious cases,” Auditor Julie Blaha said in a release.
However, the dip in total asset seizure doesn’t address the other clear issue, which is that most people walk away from their assets rather than appeal the seizure, even though they haven’t been convicted of a crime. There are plenty of reasons why people may choose to walk away from the complex and expensive appeal process, including the fact that a person will have a public defender assigned to them for a criminal case, but not a civil forfeiture. This means an individual either needs to try to figure out how to create a strong appeal on their own, or pay a private attorney to contest the forfeiture on their behalf. Again, all of this needs to happen regardless of the outcome of their criminal case, meaning innocent people are regularly having their assets “legally” stolen from them.
We can help you contest a forfeiture and would be happy to take on your criminal case as well. Don’t get beat up by a criminal justice system that does not care about you or your assets. Connect with a lawyer who will have your back and help you get your stuff back. For more information, or to talk to a lawyer about your criminal matter, reach out to Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
