Law enforcement can seuize a person’s property without charging that person with a crime and then use 95% of the proceeds to fund police and prosecution expenses. This is known as “Civil Asset Forfeiture”.

Some jurisdictions use this power wisely and fairly. In other places, it is a “policing for profit” scheme. 

The SC Supreme Court has ruled that any changes to this system, like shifting to criminal asset forfeiture, must come from the General Assembly, not the courts. South Carolina should fully fund the police and address Civil Asset Forfeiture. A higher standard, like a criminal conviction, should be required for the permanent forfeiture of a person’s property.