MARIJUANA CASE:

ASSET LAWS AN UNJUST WAY OF BRINGING ABOUT JUSTICE

The "potent asset forfeiture laws," used to seize land and cash from
Jerry Hartman, have another definition: extortion - and by the
government, no less ("Law dents dealer's lifestyle," July 8).

These laws do not pass the smell test. There may be something said
for reclaiming assets associated with illegal drug wholesaling,
provided it is applied within a system of rational drug laws - which
is now most certainly not the case. But the way prosecutors go after
assets, by filing charges far in excess of what true justice requires
in order to have the maximum leverage with which to mulct their
targets, is deplorable.

This is about money, not drugs. Can the attorneys and cops operate
honorably realizing these funds are usually used to pay for people's
employment and pet projects? Justice should not be priced as piecework.

D.H. Michon

Eau Claire