If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary James Madison, 1788.

Civil asset forfeiture, or forfeiture of contraband as it is referred to in Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, is the process by which the state may confiscate assets of an individual that are alleged to be proceeds or instruments of crime. Current law allows such property to be seized even if the property owner is never charged, much less convicted of a crime. If charges are brought, the seized property may still be disposed of prior to conviction, or in the case of acquittal, does not have to be returned to the owner.

It is a powerful tool in the hands of law enforcement developed and often used to attack drug dealers, cartels, and human trafficking rings. It also has increasingly become a significant source of government funds.

Like many government ideas gone awry, the thought behind civil asset forfeitures may have had a kernel of sense in it, when it was first conceived. It is right that the government requires a convicted criminal to make restitution, and such restitution should include ill-gotten gains. It may well be prudent too for civil authorities to freeze certain property clearly connected with criminal activity until sentencing has occurred.

However, the seizure of property, the fruit of someones life and liberty, in the name of justice, must be performed with care, humility, and due process, not like highway robbery.

Because of the propensity of government officials to overstep their bounds in doing their jobs, our Constitution requires: The right of the people to be

secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

It also stipulates that No person . . . shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Even a cursory reading of those provisions would lead an individual to believe that seizure and forfeiture of assets should, at a minimum, require a warrant and due process.

But that isnt what always happens. One law enforcement agent told me he never uses the criminal forfeiture process, because the civil asset forfeiture process is much easier. You dont have to convict the owner of a crime.

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Government and Fences

How to make fences in Minecraft 1.8!
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Being Human is closing its doors.

After four seasons and more than 50 episodes, Syfy's adaptation of the British drama finishes its run with a series finale that promises to finish the story of the four supernatural roommates. In "There Goes the Neighborhood Part III," Sally (Meaghan Rath) makes a sacrifice to keep her vision of Aidan (Sam Witwer) killing Josh (Sam Huntington) from coming to fruition, while Josh and Nora (Kristen Hager) consider their future as parents.

PHOTOS: 2014's New Broadcast and Cable TV Shows

As Witwer hints to The Hollywood Reporter, "not everyone makes it out of this" in Monday's swan song. In a candid chat, the actor previews the series' final episode, reveals his favorite episodes and tells what he'll miss most.

When did you know this was the final season of Being Human?

We knew about a year ago. We were in a position where some weird things were happening with the finance and what it all amounted to was our budget going down and basically the decision was, sure, we could make a season five but it might not be any good. We all talked and decided that the best thing to do was to end it with season four and so we went to Syfy to make that request. First they said "sure" to an ending and they weren't committing to it, but thankfully they honored the ending we created because the whole season was designed to be a swan song for all these characters.

It's somewhat of a rarity for television shows to end on that note.

It's extraordinarily rare, and to be honest, I'm super surprised that it all worked out because you never get that opportunity to end things on your own terms, to have something you feel happy with as a story from beginning to end. I really respect Syfy for honoring that.

STORY: Syfy Cancels 'Being Human'

Did you notice, from a storytelling perspective, that the stakes were getting higher in the final 13 episodes?

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'Being Human': Sam Witwer on 'Swinging for the Fences' and Bittersweet Series Finale

Lake Fences | 9 News Perth
Sam #39;s death has prompted a call for action to fence lakes in housing estates. The man-made waterways are being built right next to homes and right on the doo...

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Case Study: Bluedog Fences Australia | Richard Biggs

By: Principal Edge Financial Services Sydney

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Case Study: Bluedog Fences Australia | Richard Biggs - Video

SPECIALISED LOUVRETEC INSTALLATIONS

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These products were never initially part of our product mix. Involvement began with architects and owners requesting if we could, for example, manufacture a gate or chimney cowl to match louvers previously installed.

Some of our most spectacular louver installations have been the result!

While every installation is specically custom made, we have now developed design and manufacturing criteria for these systems.

Do not be limited by what is shown here we are constantly working with imaginative people looking for that specialised nal touch for their project.

Currently there are six products in the LouvreTec Installation range:

To compliment LouvreTec Hinged and Sliding Gates a range of Fixed and Adjustable Fence and Fence Inlls are available.

Operable louver balustrades offer an interesting and practical alternative to conventional systems. On offer are all the advantages of an operable louver screen, such as sun and wind protection, privacy when needed or open views when required.

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Gates, Screens, Fences - LouvreTec Products Ltd: Opening ...

Holiday Photobombs 02 - Offences Build Fences
Pastor Eric explains the dangers of being easily offended, and how those offences can build fences that others dare not cross. Recorded Live at Cornerstone Chuch in Cheshire, CT. Visit us at...

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Holiday Photobombs 02 - Offences Build Fences - Video

"New York State Of Mind" (Billy Joel cover) by No Fences
featuring 12 year old Paul Foschino on Piano and Vocals, Thomas Foschino (13) on drums, Brett Dawson (16) on guitar, and Sean Cortese (15) on bass at the Islip Holiday Street Fair, Dec 7, 2014,...

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"New York State Of Mind" (Billy Joel cover) by No Fences - Video

The Department of Transportation on Monday began to fix fences near MS 202, the Robert H. Goddard School in Lindenwood, after Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park) and parents said two weeks ago that schoolchildren were using gaps in them to cut across Conduit Avenue.

I commend Queens DOT and Borough Commissioner Hall for recognizing this dangerous situation and quickly acting to make the required repairs, Goldfeder said in a written statement announcing the start of the remediation of the fence. These repairs will go a long way in keeping students out of harms way.

According to Goldfeder, the DOT has started making preliminary repairs to the fences and will completely patch them up in the next two weeks.

A DOT spokesman confirmed in an email that repairs are taking place near the school.

Goldfeder had written to Dalila Hall, borough commissioner for the DOT, on Nov. 19, saying the pedestrian fences near Arion Street had holes in them that allowed students of the middle school to cut across Conduit Avenue.

This creates a dangerous situation where an accident is waiting to happen and is a major concern to local families and school officials, he said in the letter.

The ongoing repairs were hailed by Gaytrye Persaud, MS 202 PTA President.

The school and all the parents are excited and relieved that they no longer have to worry every day about students getting injured, Persaud said in a written statement. We deeply appreciate Assemblyman Goldfeder fixing this problem that has been putting our students in danger for such a long time.

Goldfeder said he hopes the repairs will give parents of schoolchildren the peace of mind they deserve.

No parent should have to send their child off to school in the morning worried whether they will make it to school safely, he said.

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Lindenwood middle school gets fence fix

Field and fences. December 7, 2015(12)

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