DON'T GIVE THE DRUG DEALERS CHANCE TO PROFIT FROM WRONG

This letter is intended to let the voters know about two bills that I'm
very concerned about, both relating to civil forfeiture of property, Senate
Bill 5935, and its sister bill, House Bill 1995. I first came to understand
about these bills when Sen. Val Stevens made a statement. It was her
opinion that allowing law enforcement to force civil forfeiture of property
obtained by illegal means would be too tempting. It is my opinion if we are
going to be at all effective in conducting a war on drugs, it should not be
the policy of the State of Washington to allow criminals to keep property
obtained by illegal means.

The problem with these bills is, in effect, they will allow those having
obtained property by illegal means the right to keep it until convicted of
the crime. This policy may appear fair based on the fact that people should
not be forced to give up property until they are convicted of a crime.
However, I have real concerns about letting those who have obtained
property by perhaps illegal means keep that property until convicted. Those
who are supporting these bills are, in effect, allowing those who commit
crimes to profit by means of diversion of property or by transfer of
ownership before they are convicted. Frankly, I feel that not allowing
forfeiture of property before trial provides a clear opportunity to profit
by illegal means.

I would like to request that those of you who support my position on these
bills write your Senator or Representative and let them know that crime
should not pay. Forfeiture of property is a reasonable way to keep cost
down and prevent those who seek to profit by illegal means from doing so.

GREGORY LEMKE Everett