Score another victory for property rights in America, specifically in Rochester, New York, where a resident won her case against the local government for swiping her hard-earned cash under civil asset forfeiture. This case is one of several that are cropping up, after several states have passed laws aimed at reforming the controversial practice.
Cristal Starling, a Rochester resident, recently reclaimed $8,040 that was seized from her home “as evidence” by local law enforcement after they arrested her then-boyfriend for supposedly committing drug offenses. The ordeal began about four years ago, when law enforcement executed a search warrant.
She had been trying since 2020 when Rochester police took that sum from her residence as evidence while executing a warrant against her boyfriend at the time. RPD would give the money to the DEA.
That man was arrested and charged and has since…
