Legislation to establish a new procedure for people to regain their property after it has been seized by police was endorsed by a Senate committee Wednesday.
Senate Bill 727, by Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, R-Pocahontas, would allow someone to petition a court to determine during a pretrial hearing the validity of a seizure. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send the bill to the Senate.
Prosecutors and sheriffs opposed the measure, saying it is a tool that helps them build cases and is a source of revenue.
Collins-Smith's bill gives an exemption to property needed for evidence.
Collins-Smith, joined by former Rep. Dan Greenberg, R-Little Rock, argued that cash and property were being seized without due process.
-- John Moritz
