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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsCriminal IssuesLaw EnforcementProperty RightsDue processCriminal Justice ReformCivil Asset Forfeiture•••Started 4mos agoActive 2 days ago

Should law enforcement be allowed to seize cash and property from suspects without a criminal conviction?

Civil asset forfeiture laws allow police to seize property (cars, cash, homes) they suspect is involved in a crime, even if the owner is never charged or convicted. Originally designed to cripple drug lords, the practice has morphed into a revenue stream for departments, leading to "policing for profit" accusations where officers patrol specifically to seize cash. Proponents argue it’s the only way to dismantle criminal networks that operate outside the traditional justice system. Opponents argue it violates the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause and disproportionately targets low-income communities who can't afford the legal fees to fight for their property back.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 6.2k America voters.

14%
Yes
86%
No
9%
Yes
77%
No
4%
Yes, but restrict it to large-scale operations so police cannot harass everyday citizens.
5%
No, the state must secure a criminal conviction before permanently seizing private property.
1%
Yes, crippling the financial power of cartels and gangs is necessary to fight organized crime.
4%
No, this incentivizes "policing for profit" and creates a loophole for corruption and theft.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 6.2k America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 6.2k America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BF4Q57H from Kentucky  answered…4 days4D

Yes, under certain circumstances, but if the accused is not tried and convicted within a reasonable amount of time, the cash or property must be returned to them without costing them anything.

 @95XMKKH  from New York  answered…6 days6D

Yes but if found not guilty it must be returned.

 @BDZRQTC from Nebraska  answered…2wks2W

Money and Property should be seized as evidence for court.

 @BDZR6KB from Illinois  answered…2wks2W

No, and ban the "Equitable Sharing" loophole that lets local police bypass state laws to seize assets, restrict it to large-scale criminal enterprises so police cannot harass everyday citizens and "policing for profit" is unconstitutional and violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

 @BDYC7F2 from Minnesota  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but only if just compensation is given as is mentioned in the constitution

 @BDXH46F from Virginia  answered…3wks3W

No and abolish the police

 @BDVVMK6 from Michigan  answered…3wks3W

Yes. But they are only allowed to place the assists into probate until they are convicted. If they are found innocent they must return the assists.

 @BDRNQYH from New York  answered…4wks4W

No, "policing for profit" is unconstitutional and violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

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Based on 6.2k responses to this question.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should law enforcement be allowed to seize cash and property from suspects without a criminal conviction?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5546689780

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