Not good enough for asset forfeiture. Asset forfeiture is nothing but theft under color of law. Remember, with asset forfeiture the government seizes the assets before any conviction, usually before any charges have even been filed, and often before the victim even knows he/she is under suspicion. I cannot reconcile that with the (purportedly) clear language of the Fourth Amendment.
IMHO, asset forfeiture should simply not be allowed. Period.
Ditto for no-knock and so-called "knock and announce" warrant "services."
Point taken, and as my previous posts on the subjects indicate, I am 100% in agreement with you that both of them need to go. :)
However, while bad laws exist, there should be significant penalties for their misuse.
On a positive note, it seems more and more states are passing laws against forfeited assets being converted for the use of the agencies that took them. Until there is a federal law however, it's not going to help much, since all local LE agencies have to do is partner with fed LE as the lead agency, and they can split the profits.
On loser pays, I'm generally in favor of that as well. Except that when it comes to government, taxpayers end up being the losers when the government loses. For that matter, more often than not, we end up being the losers when the government wins.