For years, there has been discussion among lawmakers and criminal justice advocates to reform the way law enforcement seizes cash and property from suspected criminals, which is known as civil asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture has been a nuisance for many citizens, especially when law enforcement retains assets without any conviction of a crime.

News reports and studies over the past few years have shown instances where assets were seized and retained before any motions were ever filed within courts seeking permission to retain such assets, or before the asset owners were able to take actions seeking a return of their assets. And in some instances, asset owners were never convicted or notified of their ability to file claims seeking a return of their assets and the deadline to do so.