--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Oddly, someone who has actually been…" description: "\"“Oddly, someone who has actually been charged with a crime is entitled to the appointment of counsel in civil forfeiture proceedings, but those whose p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/michelle-alexander-750_forfeiture_oddly-someone-who-has-actually-been-char_1367517.png" --- # Oddly, someone who has actually been charged with a crime… ![“Oddly, someone who has actually been charged with a crime is entitled to the appointment of counsel in civil forfeiture proceedings, but those whose property has been forfeited but whose conduct did not merit criminal charges are on their own. This helps to explain why up to 90 percent of…” quote by Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/michelle-alexander-750_forfeiture_oddly-someone-who-has-actually-been-char_1367517.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/michelle-alexander-750_forfeiture_oddly-someone-who-has-actually-been-char_1367517.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/michelle-alexander-750_forfeiture_oddly-someone-who-has-actually-been-char_1367517.png) > ““Oddly, someone who has actually been charged with a crime is entitled to the appointment of counsel in civil forfeiture proceedings, but those whose property has been forfeited but whose conduct did not merit criminal charges are on their own. This helps to explain why up to 90 percent of forfeiture cases in some jurisdictions are not challenged. Most people simply cannot afford the considerable cost of hiring an attorney. Even if the cost is not an issue, the incentives are all wrong. If the police seized your car worth $5,000, or took $500 cash from your home, would you be willing to pay an attorney more than your assets are worth to get them back? If you haven't been charged with a crime, are you willing to risk the possibility that fighting the forfeiture might prompt the government to file criminal charges against you?”” [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civil forfeiture allows the government to seize property without criminal charges, creating a financial barrier that discourages challenges and can coerce individuals into compliance. **In simple terms:** Property can be taken without a charge, making it hard to fight. Key Takeaway Recognize and contest unfair seizures. Themes justice property rights government power inequality Mood frustrated concerned determined Type legal advocacy critical When to use this quote - legal defense - community advocacy - policy reform - public awareness - court challenges Key Concepts due process civil liberties economic coercion Questions to Reflect On - How can legal aid be expanded for forfeiture cases? - What reforms could balance enforcement and fairness? A Different Perspective The system may still favor wealthier defendants who can afford counsel. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The civil forfeiture law - if something so devoid of due process can be dignified as law - is an incentive for perverse behavior:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/the-civil-forfeiture-law-if-something-so-devoid-of-due-process-can-be/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [To make matters worse, federal drug forfeiture laws allow state and local law enforcement agencies to keep, for their own use, up to 80…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/to-make-matters-worse-federal-drug-forfeiture-laws-allow-state-and/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [Can the state, which represents the whole of society and has the duty of protecting society, fulfill that duty by lowering itself to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/can-the-state-which-represents-the-whole-of-society-and-has-the-duty/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [One of the most offensive actions by the IRS is its continued unlawful seizures of money and assets of innocent Americans, called civil asset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brady/one-of-the-most-offensive-actions-by-the-irs-is-its-continued/) [Kevin Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brady/) > [When a juvenile offender commits a heinous crime, the State can exact forfeiture of some of the most basic liberties, but the State cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-kennedy/when-a-juvenile-offender-commits-a-heinous-crime-the-state-can-exact/) [Anthony Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-kennedy/) > [The penalty for exceeding the time limit is the forfeiture of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/the-penalty-for-exceeding-the-time-limit-is-the-forfeiture-of-the-game/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [They say that it were great reproof to the king to take again what he has given, so that they will not suffer him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-cade/they-say-that-it-were-great-reproof-to-the-king-to-take-again-what-he/) [Jack Cade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-cade/) > [National Health? Socialized pension funds? State-controlled television? Search and seizure laws? Forfeiture laws? If we're not living in the Soviet Union of the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/national-health-socialized-pension-funds-state-controlled-television/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [Every effort must be made to increase forfeiture income.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-thornburgh/every-effort-must-be-made-to-increase-forfeiture-income/) [Dick Thornburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-thornburgh/) > [“It was the deployment of British soldiers to colonial cities strictly for the purpose of enforcing the law that set long-smoldering hostilities aflame. 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