The Line: Judge Rules Vehicle Forfeiture Program Is Illegal

August 3, 2018- U.S. District Judge James Browning ruled this week that an Albuquerque program that seizes vehicles after someone is arrested for a second or subsequent DWI offence is unconstitutional. The case began in 2016, when Arlene Harjo’s car was seized after her son borrowed it, drove it out of town, and then was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Harjo was represented by The Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm based in Arlington, Virginia, that focuses on eradicating programs that promote “policing for profit.” Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists discuss the case and what the ruling might mean across New Mexico.

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, former House minority whip
Rachel Sams, editor of Albuquerque Business First
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, attorney at Cuddy and McCarthy, LLP
Marco Torrez, UNM student, journalism & mass communications