A (temporary) victory for sane punishments

The California Supreme Court ruled today that cities can't seize cars used by people arrested for buying drugs or soliciting prostitutes. Leaving aside the issue of "victimless crimes" and the money wasted in enforcing laws against them, such seizures are grossly disproportionate to the offense and very susceptible to incredible abuse by law enforcement (budget cuts looming? Time for more vice raids!).

Unfortunately, this victory is likely to be short lived. The Court did not state that the seizures themselves were problematic, but instead stated that the state legislature had exclusive authority over assigning punishments to drug and solicitation offenses. You can bet that some grandstanding member of the Assembly will introduce a bill authorizing the seizures again, and it will pass easily (there is not much of a lobby for johns and drug users).

AP State News - State Supreme Court: Cities can't seize cars - sacbee.com