Sponsor: County Attorney's Office
Title
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County Attorney Report on 2020 Civil Asset Forfeiture Funds
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Recommendation
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Accept the County Attorney Report on Civil Asset Forfeitures - County Attorney 2020 Activity.
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota law provides for judicial forfeiture of personal property used or intended for use to commit or facilitate the commission of a designated offense, or real or personal property representing the proceeds of a designated offense.
The primary mission of this program is to employ asset forfeiture powers in a manner that enhances public safety and security by removing the proceeds of crime and other assets relied upon by individuals and their associates to perpetuate criminal activity against society. Forfeited property may be sold, if it is not otherwise required by law to be destroyed and is not harmful to the public, and expenditures of proceeds from civil asset forfeiture cannot be used to supplant the regular operating budget of the agency. Funds identified herein represent money or proceeds acquired due to civil asset forfeiture under Minn. Stat. §§ 169A.63 or 609.531 - .5318. Expenditures from these funds are for projects or programs which are supplemental to the agency’s operating fund.
On November 3, 1986, the County Board adopted Resolution 86-680 establishing Criminal Property Forfeiture funds for the Ramsey County Attorney. Also, on December 15, 1992, the County Board adopted Resolution 92-740 directing the County Attorney to report annually on the expenditure of civil asset forfeiture funds. Accordingly, the County Attorney’s Office is submitting the Civil Asset Forfeitures - County Attorney 2020 Activity
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Civil asset forfeitures are administered consistent with federal and state laws. As Ramsey County continues efforts to examine all aspects of the criminal justice system through a racial equity lens, forfeiture funds will be included in the analysis. Reducing and eliminating fines and fees will have positive and significant racial equity impact on the community.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Information about this action is available through County Board documentation that is published on the County’s website at https://www.ramseycounty.us/your-government/leadership/board-commissioners/board-meetings-information.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Spending from civil asset forfeiture fund is presented in this report.
County Manager Comments
This report is required by County Board Resolutions 86-680 and 92-740.
Last Previous Action
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has accepted County Attorney Reports on Activity in Civil Asset Forfeiture Funds since 1990.
Attachments
1. Civil Asset Forfeitures - County Attorney 2020 Activity