Thanks in part to the hundreds of emails sent by supporters like you, HB 560, the bill to end the unfair practice of civil asset forfeiture — aka "policing for profit" — passed the New Mexico legislature unanimously with only hours to spare. This is an incredible achievement — but it's not over yet. Governor Martinez still needs to sign this bipartisan bill before it can become law.
Now is the time to make your voice heard. Ask Governor Martinez to sign HB 560 so that we can protect innocent people from having their property seized by police.
If you're just now hearing about civil asset forfeiture, it may shock you to know that police departments can seize any property they suspect of being involved in a crime — cash, cars, even your home — and use it to fund their own agencies. They don't even have to charge you with a crime, much less convict you.
HB 560 is still tough on crime, allowing law enforcement to seize assets of convicted criminals, but it protects innocent New Mexicans from having their property taken without due process.
We live in a time of great political partisanship, but this is a civil liberties issue that both progressives and conservatives are united on. Every single legislator in both the New Mexico House and Senate threw their full support behind this bill, and today we're asking you to help us cross the finish line by asking Governor Martinez to sign this bipartisan bill into law.
Follow the link to ask Governor Martinez to sign this important legislation into law!
