Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 11:26:48 +0100 From: Robin Melville <robmel@nadt.org.uk> To: Robert Clark <ROBERTC@PII.COM>, nick@calyx.net, isp@FreeBSD.org Subject: Re: Civil Forfeiture: (was: How many customers read news) Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19970424102648.00703f90@wrcmail>
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At 13:38 22/04/97 -0700, Eric J. Schwertfeger wrote: >.... People every day get cash seized simply because it was >suspicious that they had that much cash on them. >>> Nick Merrill <nick@calyx.net> 04/23/97 01:41pm >>> >Robin - it's true, and don't start turning this into an american-bashing >session because it's based in English common law :D At 14:15 23/04/97 -0700, Robert Clark wrote: >Its nice to enjoy the whole-world feel of the 'FreeBSD Movement'. Sometimes > the rest of the world gets to chuckle at our troubles. I'm more appalled than chuckling at this abuse of power. The UK police have similar discretion to seize /evidence/ under a search warrant (and have threatened to do so to ISP's) and can confiscate pornography/publishing equipment. The UK Drug Trafficking Act is unusually draconian in that it reverses the burden of proof -- the accused has to prove that his property was /not/ the proceeds of drug trafficking to prevent seizure. However for the DTA to apply, you have to already have been convicted under the Misuse of Drugs Act or Customs law. Once the Government grabs rights from us its tough to get them back. However, I thought that US Citizens were luckier that us in that they had constitutional protection -- I guess that's a mirage after all :/ In deference to Jordan's remarks we ought to cut this thread since it's way off topic. However I wish US ISP's well and hope this can be resolved without the destruction of your livelihoods and/or the vibrancy & freedom of the Internet (of which FreeBSD is an important part!). Best regards Robin. -------------------------------------------------------- Robin Melville, Addiction & Forensic Information Service Nottingham Alcohol & Drug Team (Extn. 49178) Vox: +44 (0)115 952 9478 Fax: +44 (0)115 952 9421 Email: robmel@nadt.org.uk WWW: http://www.innotts.co.uk/nadt/ ---------------------------------------------------------
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