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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsNational securityLaw EnforcementProperty RightsDue processCriminal Justice ReformCivil Asset Forfeiture•••Started 4mos agoActive 18hrs ago

Should the government be allowed to seize private property 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 5.6k America voters.

10%
Yes
90%
No
8%
Yes
79%
No
1%
Yes, especially for public officials who cannot explain the origin of their luxury assets.
6%
No, the state must secure a criminal conviction before seizing any property.
1%
Yes, we must cripple the financial power of gangs before they launder their money.
4%
No, this encourages "policing for profit" and is easily weaponized against political rivals.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 5.6k America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 5.6k America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

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

 @BCXQ8W4 from Texas  answered…2mos2MO

Yes, but it must be returned if the individual is not found guilty

 @BBRDTVP from South Carolina  answered…4mos4MO

Warranted seizure should be permitted with either permanent seizure or return determined by the outcome of criminal proceedings.

 @BF4HX6M  from Illinois  answered…6 days6D

No, it shouldn’t ever seize assets even if convicted, unless the assets were gained illegally

 @BF2JFFT from Kentucky  answered…2wks2W

Private property must be abolished, but doing it selectively would lead to further crony capitalism.

 @BDZTDDD from Missouri  answered…2wks2W

No, property OBTAINED DURING THE COURSE OF COMMITTING A CRIME or from proceeds received directly from commission of crime are the only seizures that should be allowed. Government seizure of property must be severely restricted.

 @BDZJ8GY  from Louisiana  answered…2wks2W

No, they should not seize private property for a criminal conviction, unless the criminal conviction was from theft of said property, or was used to pay off other theft equal to or exceeding the value of the.property.

 @BDZ9ZWC from Illinois  answered…2wks2W

Yes, but it must be returned if found not guilty

 @BCW7MXC from Georgia  answered…2mos2MO

There needs to be explainable and justifiable reasons related to public safety.

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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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About This Data

Based on 5.6k responses to this question.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government be allowed to seize private property without a criminal conviction?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5546687667

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