Hey, at least he doesn’t have to go to jail. I mean, they could railroad him for a crime, seize the cash, and send him to jail…
(While this is full of sarcasm, it is also sadly true. 
)
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The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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Definitely boils down to appearance, for sure. I remember a case about a bearded, tattooed biker that was on his way to Bike Week in Daytona. He was hoping to buy a motorcycle while he was there so he brought $12,000 cash. Cops pulled him over because he looked like a suspicious character and took his money because they claimed it was drug money. He was never convicted of a crime but they kept the cash.
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Or drive down the public road.
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It violates it, but with the court’s consent. They slapped some limits on it a few years ago in the Timbs case (under the excessive fines clause), but have broadly upheld the process going back to US vs 43 gallons of Whiskey in the 1880s.
They eventually do a trial, just not involving the person. They charge the goods with a crime. This leads to all kinds of fun situations where you don’t have the right to counsel when they take your stuff.
The scale of this problem is absolutely mind blowing. Cops stole more stuff than burglars as of a few years ago. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/11/23/cops-took-more-stuff-from-people-than-burglars-did-last-year/
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It’s not only a lot of money- it more than actual robbery. Forfeiture surpassed robbery in 2014. I believe the trend has continued.
Edit- should’ve read the full comments.
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Bullshit; this was happening long before ‘Defund the Police’ was ever even an idea.
Of course it was. And in most places it’s still an option. As long as they can shake down the City, they aren’t nearly as motivated to go to the extra trouble of shaking down the public directly.
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It’s even tacitly endorsed in popular culture: How Sonny got his yacht, Testarossa and fancy duds.
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I honestly have no idea why anyone would feel the need to travel with large amounts of cash these days anyway. You don’t even need a physical money order these days. It can all be done electronically.
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Like “food deserts”, banking (especially electronic banking) tends to be a more daunting and expensive proposition for low or fixed income folks, the elderly, and immigrants. While maybe not intentional, electronic banking tends to lend more support to rich, white folks.
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I had a feeling it might be that. I sometimes forget that the US is behind in a lot of things. Even behind some third world nations.
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Oh, I get the feeling it’s intentional. How else will payday lenders and similar businesses profit under their states’ sweet, sweet usury laws?
FDIC report on the unbanked and underbanked:
Payday loan regulations (interest rates) by state:
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Oh yeah, fuck those folks. Have you ever noticed how many of those payday loan banks are based in Kentucky?
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Marijuana businesses in legal states are forced to do biz in cash because FDIC views them as drug traffickers and most all banks are afraid to provide them services. This leads to huge cash drops daily across the land. Fortunately, some states (like Colorado) have banned police departments from sharing in the pirate’s booty of civil forfeiture.
It’s probably intentional on the part of our legislators (most of them, anyway) to legalize marijuana so that the rich white folks who are buying up/corporatizing dispensaries can bank and profit safely. I doubt Chuck Schumer cares much for poor folk’s rights to blaze–but I am glad to see the effort, regardless.
And yes, screw the payday lenders from the land of McConnell.
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