FORFEITURE OFFICE TO BYPASS COURTS IN SMALLER CASES

B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture office will be able to directly seize small
amounts of property and goods associated with criminal activity
without getting approval from a court, under new legislation
introduced Wednesday.

The Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act would tweak a 2006 law that lets
government seize and sell items such as cars, boats and houses if they
were bought with crime money or used for unlawful purposes.

Under the current law, the government must argue its case in
court.

But the amendment proposes to allow "administrative forfeiture" where
the government could directly seize items worth less than $75,000 if
no one disputes its action within 60 days of being notified.

Solicitor General Shirley Bond said about one-third of the province's
civil forfeiture cases conclude without anyone objecting.

Bypassing the courts will save legal costs and make it financially
worthwhile to seize smaller items, she said.

"I want to make sure our courts are being taken up

with appropriate things like gangs and criminals that need to be
there," said Bond.

Bond said she has no concerns about placing increased seizure powers
into the hands of the government's civil forfeiture office, because it
is police departments who recommend the items allegedly connected to
criminal activity based on their own investigations.

The government will send out letters and post advertisements in
newspapers to try to alert anyone who might have a stake in the
property or goods during the 60-day notification period, said Bond.

B.C. has seized and sold almost $17 million in civil forfeiture items
since 2006.