winforlose wrote:SO_MONEY wrote:Nick K wrote:
Very well explained.
it really isn't. The argument he is making is that possession and control is somehow nullified in civil seizure but isn't in criminal seizure. In other words the state knows who was in possession of something when it was taken and the state taking something doesn't allow the accused to then abdicate criminal culpability steming from it by saying they are no longer in control of it.
What he needs to provide (either of us do) to make our argument is case law on the admissablity of evidence resulting from civil forfeitures in criminal cases. Being neither of us have done so I think it is readily apparent that such case law isn't fundamentally obvious.
Criminal law isn't my discipline, contract law is, it is not his discipline either. He seems to be making the case using said evidence would violate the 4th amendment, again I would agree, but that is in theory and not practice being CAF itself is a violation of the 4th amendment, in theory. The state could absolutely make the argument that due process rights are in tact because there is legal redress and a process to contest the guilt of property and any gains made are thus lawfully obtained. Neither of us know. He wasn't even aware of CAF before I brought it up, and frankly it probably doesn't pertain to the Prince situation anyway. I only bought up CAF as an option because he was being very black and white as it comes the the 4th amendment and what is permissible. They obviously could take the vape pen if they wanted.
I think the problem is we are talking across each other. I am specifically referring to admissibility. Of course they can seize the property, but if they don’t follow criminal procedure for evidence how can they get it in under a civil procedure. I agree they can seize the pen, the guns, the pot, and the car. Probably the entire contents of the car and trunk. I am in no way disputing the principles of CAF. Only the application in a criminal law context.
I perfectly understand the exclusionary rule, that is your argument but it doesn't apply to civil cases, so an example would be could the proceeds of that seizure fall under something such as independent source doctorine? I think you are oversimplifing things.