Governor Mead Signs Asset Forfeiture Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Governor Matt Mead has signed into law a measure that requires judicial review of police seizures of vehicles, cash and other property that law enforcement authorities believe to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

Under the law going into effect in July, the Wyoming Attorney General will review seizures and decide whether they were justified. The AG will have 30 days from the seizure to ask a judge to determine if there was probable cause that the property was involved in the drug trade.

Previously, the AG’s Office often has taken up a year after a seizure to file a civil lawsuit seeking to forfeit property.

Mead last year vetoed a bill that would have required a criminal conviction to support forfeitures.