New Montana law blocks police from profiting off criminal activity

They say crime doesn't pay, but it can for law enforcement.

Police can take your car, home, and cash if you used it to commit a crime.

"I’d say 90 percent of what we do related to forfeitures is related to drug activity," said Billings Police Chief Rich St. John.

That means money made from drug dealing could be confiscated, and if the dealer's car was used for the sales, that could be taken too and later absorbed by law enforcement agencies.

As long as a connection between the crime and the asset could be made, the item could be forfeited.

"These laws were put on the books with really good intentions,” said Rep. Kelly McCarthy (D-Billings). “We want to get drug dealers, put them out of business and take them off the streets. But this didn't do it. What it does is basically let the drug dealers go back to work the next day, we're just taking the profit from it."

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But this legislative session, McCarthy passed a new law that became effective July 1st.

It makes Montana one of five states with such a law.

"What we're requiring now is that you prove that you really have a drug dealer in front of you,” said McCarthy. “Don't just convict them and take their stuff and let them off the hook."

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Cont'd here - [link to www.ktvq.com]