Reforming Civil Asset Forfeiture in Wyoming

Abstract

This brief explains civil asset forfeiture in Wyoming and discusses potential reforms to state law. The first section discusses civil forfeiture generally and explains its purpose and pitfalls. The second section explains the law here in Wyoming and begins to elaborate on the actual practice of civil forfeiture by state and local police. The final section discusses potential reforms to Wyoming law.

Because the Wyoming Attorney General and other law enforcement agencies maintain limited data, this report cannot paint the full picture of civil asset forfeiture in Wyoming. Although reforms should be considered whether or not Wyoming law enforcement is actually policing for profit, at the very least the state must begin to seriously monitor the use of civil asset forfeiture.

Keywords: narcotics law, civil forfeiture, civil asset forfeiture, property rights, due process, drugs, drug laws, police, Wyoming, Wyoming law