There is Good News Tonight

For John, BLUF:  Now, if the members of the Massachusetts General Court can bestir themselves, this would be a good move for us also.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This is a little late (a month late), but it is good news for citizens.

Nebraska Just Abolished Civil Forfeiture, Now Requires A Criminal Conviction To Take Property

From Forbes we have Reporter Nick Sibilla writing:

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a bill on Tuesday that eliminates civil forfeiture, which allows law enforcement to seize and keep property without filing charges or securing criminal convictions. The bill, LB 1106, passed the unicameral legislature last week by a vote of 38 to 8.

Civil forfeiture has ensnared a wide swath of victims in Nebraska. A Peruvian pastor once had $14,000 seized during a traffic stop. Only after the local chapter of the ACLU intervened was he able to recover his cash. Last year, a federal appellate court upheld forfeiting more than $63,000 in savings from a decorated Air Force veteran, even though he was never charged with a crime.

Yes, the rule of law, with justice by the courts and not by government bureaucracies.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff