Today, Senator Mark Johnson (R- East Grand Forks) spoke at a press conference to highlight the impact of changes to the state civil asset forfeiture laws passed in 2021. The changes aimed to streamline and unify various agency enforcement actions and balance holding bad actors accountable while protecting the rights of every citizen to be presumed innocent until proven guilty

“These changes are a result of civil liberty advocates, law enforcement, and legislators coming together to find common ground,” Johnson said. “While these changes won’t impact most Minnesotans, those who are impacted can trust the process to be fairer and more balanced. We can see the results of that in the today’s report that continues a downward trend of civil asset forfeiture.”

A summary released by the State Auditor’s office included the following highlights:

• In 2023, 243 Minnesota law enforcement agencies reported a total of 3,873 completed forfeitures pursued under both state and federal law. Of the 243 law enforcement agencies that reported completed forfeitures, 241 agencies reported a total of 3,795 completed forfeitures pursued under state law and 11 agencies reported an additional 78 completed forfeitures pursued under federal law.
• In 2023, for all completed forfeitures pursued under state law, gross sales of forfeited property or seized cash totaled $6,186,943; administrative expenses and lienholders’ obligations totaled $1,273,349; amount returned totaled $931,807; and net proceeds totaled $4,392,7125.
• In 2023, for all completed forfeitures pursued under federal law, total proceeds received through the equitable sharing program totaled $897,306.

Read the full report.

Photo: Left to Right: Robert Small, Executive Director, Minnesota County Attorneys Association; Sen. Mark Johnson; State Auditor Julie Blaha

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