Criminal Justice & Due Process Timeline
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA, 2000)
- Established procedural safeguards for property owners in civil forfeiture cases. - Required the government to prove forfeiture cases by a preponderance of evidence. - Created an “innocent owner” defense and hardship release provisions. ---
First Step Act (2018)
- Major bipartisan sentencing and prison reform law. - Reduced mandatory minimums for certain drug crimes, expanded the “safety valve” exception. - Made the Fair Sentencing Act (2010) retroactive, addressing crack/powder cocaine disparities. - Expanded rehabilitation and early release opportun
Why It Matters Today
These reforms: - Protect property rights from overreach by law enforcement. - Provide sentencing relief and rehabilitation opportunities. - Highlight the ongoing debate over mass incarceration, due process, and proportional justice. ---
Official Sources
- [U.S. Code – Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title18&edition=prelim) - [Congress.gov – CAFRA 2000](https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/1658) - [Congress.gov – First Step Act 2018](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th