I recently read a very disturbing article in The New Yorker. The article was about asset forfeiture. Here is a link to the article: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/130812fa_fact_stillman. In short, the police can seize any property was was used or was believed to have been used in the commission of a crime. Generally, this happens in connection with narcotics arrests, but in Texas the police have been forfeiting assets in all type of cases. Imagine this scenario: an individual is pulled over by the police. The individual is arrested for possession of marijuana. When the individual posts bail, I am sure that he or she would be outraged if they discovered that the police had sold their vehicle and kept the proceeds. This is exactly what has been happening in East Texas. Along I-20 many police departments have set up arbitrary speed traps so that they can pull over gamblers returning from Bosier City. When the police find the money they accuse the citizen of laundering money for imaginary drug dealers. The citizen is then allowed to leave (minus their money) and told not to return or they will be prosecuted for money laundering.
Please read the article in the New Yorker. It is frightening that this is occurring in America. If you, or a loved one have been arrested, or asked to be interviewed by the police, consult with an experienced attorney before talking to law enforcement. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Law Office of G. Thayer Williamson.