In some criminal activity, especially the illicit drug trade, the economics at one time proved to be too attractive. While the risk of arrest and incarceration was always just around the corner, criminals could amass enough money and other assets like cash, cars and even houses to provide for them when they got out of prison.

To combat that element, state and federal lawmakers enabled civil forfeiture rules to be used in such a way criminals would not be able to profit from their ill-gotten gains – or even use them to pay for lawyers while being prosecuted for their offenses.

The side benefit: the seized assets also allowed law enforcement agencies to stretch their budgets further and provide better protection for the communities they serve.

Read more at The Loveland Reporter-Herald.