State Supremes Nix Local Car Seizures
Some of you may remember a while back the City of Eureka was considering seizing cars of suspects arrested for soliciting prostitutes or violating drug laws. This the result of a suggestion by then police chief, Dave Douglas.
The main reason for tabling the issue was, at the time, the City of Oakland was involved in litigation over those very same practices and the council wanted to see what resulted from that court case. No other considerations on the issue seemed to concern the council, if memory serves me correct.
The State Supreme Court (as always, if asked for a login, use humboldtlib for the username and blogspot as the password) finally got involved and ruled against the seizures this last Thursday. Unfortunately, it was a narrow victory with 4 judges ruling against the cities and 3 ruling for.
Too close for comfort for me as I'm not only opposed to vehicles being seized when someone hasn't been convicted of a crime, I don't think any of the parties involved in prostitution should be arrested in the first place.
One wonders if any similar cases might make it to the federal Supreme Court?
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:27 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
I agree, Fred. Until someone is convicted, the state should not be able to take any property. It's that "innocent until proven guilty" thing...
And has been pointed out, even if the person is found not guilty and the car not taken and sold by the government, they may have hundreds, if not thousands, to pay in impound fees regardless.
Did you ever notice how all the prostitutes in the movies and on TV are really good-looking, but all the prostitutes around here look like advertisements for death warmed over?
Why is that, do you suppose?
Fred, you obviously don't live around the library, which turns into an open-air smack and pussy market after dark. Its a dangerous environment and our city fathers obviously couldn't care less. The fact that Quigley and other cops are customers to these whores themselves doesn't help.
There you go: It's all some conspiracy. Whatever.
I can understand some being upset over the situation. Nonetheless, what's wrong with people meeting up with people, even with money involved?
Why do they have to 'meet up' with squealing tires and shouting on the street at midnight in a residential neighborhood? Why can't they go under the bridge or down by the docks?
To 1:26 and 12:33. The street sex trade is the "low end" of the market and like most cheap stuff it is of poor quality and attracts people who are unwilling to pay for and don't appreciate a better product. Not to mention those who can't afford quality but will take anything just because they can afford it.
You may as well complain about the noise from unneutered cats in the neighborhoods. Its the same thing. Responsible animal breeders ensure their animals rut safely, out of earshot, and without the drama that goes on in "the street".
Post a Comment
<< Home