Cheyenne,
Wyoming – Wyoming Governor Matt Mead signed legislation into law today that
aims to safeguard citizens against unnecessary asset seizures while ensuring
law enforcement officers have the tools and resources they need to pursue
criminal cases and keep Wyoming citizens safe.
“The Joint Judiciary Interim Committee worked
hard to craft a measure that strikes a balance between meeting law enforcement
needs while also protecting personal property rights,” said Senator Leland
Christensen, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Under this law, the onus
is on the government to show clear and convincing evidence that a seizure is
warranted.”
Senate
File 46, Asset Forfeiture, a bill sponsored by the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee,
was signed into law today by Wyoming Governor Matt Mead. The bill was
unanimously approved in the House and Senate. SF 46 amends procedures and
requirements for forfeiting and seizing property under the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act.
Under the state’s current asset forfeiture law,
property can be seized as long as there is probable cause that the asset was
used in connection with a crime. Under Senate File 46, additional steps must be
taken by the court system before a judge can order assets to be seized. Law
enforcement officials will now be required to contact the Attorney General before
seizing any assets or property. A hearing would then be scheduled within 30
days to decide whether there is sufficient probable cause to proceed.
Senate File 46 is the result of two years of
work by the Judiciary Committees, the state legislature and key stakeholders to
reform Wyoming’s asset seizure and forfeiture laws.
Governor Mead also signed Senate File 8, Bicycle and Pedestrian System Task Force into law.
The measure creates a task force to study the benefits and opportunities of
bicycle and pedestrian pathways and natural surface trails across Wyoming.
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