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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsCriminal IssuesProperty RightsDue processCriminal Justice ReformCivil Asset ForfeitureLaw Enforcement Policy•••Started 4mos agoActive 3 days ago

Should law enforcement be allowed to permanently seize cash and property from suspects without a criminal conviction?

Civil asset forfeiture laws allow police to seize property (cars, cash, homes) they suspect is involved in a crime, even if the owner is never charged or convicted. Originally designed to cripple drug lords, the practice has morphed into a revenue stream for departments, leading to "policing for profit" accusations where officers patrol specifically to seize cash. Proponents argue it’s the only way to dismantle criminal networks that operate outside the traditional justice system. Opponents argue it violates the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause and disproportionately targets low-income communities who can't afford the legal fees to fight for their property back.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 5k America voters.

13%
Yes
87%
No
8%
Yes
78%
No
4%
Yes, but restrict it to large-scale criminal enterprises so police cannot harass everyday citizens.
7%
No, "policing for profit" is unconstitutional and violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
1%
Yes, it is a vital tool to cripple cartels and terror networks before they can launder their money.
1%
No, and ban the "Equitable Sharing" loophole that lets local police bypass state laws to seize assets.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 5k America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 5k America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BF4Q57H from Kentucky  answered…5 days5D

Yes, but if after a good while the accused has not been convicted, the cash and property ought to be returned to him.

 @BCRQS3D from Alabama  answered…3mos3MO

Yes, if they have a warrant

 @BDZRQTC from Nebraska  answered…2wks2W

Yes it should be seized until a verdict is reached but only if found not guilty.

 @BDYC7F2 from Minnesota  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but only if just compensation is given as is mentioned in the constitution

 @BD33RJ9 from Alabama  answered…2mos2MO

No, seizure must happen after a conviction. Frozen assets are constitutional

 @BCWZ8WD from Georgia  answered…2mos2MO

No, they need to have a criminal conviction

 @BCVDJBT from Michigan  answered…2mos2MO

Unless prevent guilty and convicted, the money shouldn’t be taken away from the person.

 @BCQ9MXW from Minnesota  answered…3mos3MO

Yes, but only for current or ongoing investigations and evidence. Seized cash and property should be returned if the the case isn't taken to court within a set timeframe , or if alleged criminal is found not guilty.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

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Based on 5k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should law enforcement be allowed to permanently seize cash and property from suspects without a criminal conviction?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5544372762

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