SENATE OK'S CURBS ON ASSET FORFEITURE

The Senate passed legislation Monday that puts new curbs on the federal
government's ability to seize private property suspected of being linked to
crime.

The voice vote in the Senate sends the asset-forfeiture bill to the House
where it has the backing of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde,
R-Ill.

The aim of the legislation is to alter a crime-fighting practice that has
resulted in the seizure of hundreds of millions of dollars in property,
mainly from suspected drug traffickers,but has also led to cases where
innocent people are deprived of their homes, cars and boats.

The legislation would shift the burden of proof in asset forfeiture cases
from the property owner, where it now lies, to the government.