Prosecutors Could Be Divided Over Criminal Forfeiture Laws

For the first time, education and law enforcement officials seem to be in agreement over proposed changes to Missouri’s criminal forfeiture laws. But some county prosecutors could have differences on the issue. Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore, representing the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys at a recent meeting on the proposed changes, says he and prosecutors from larger counties don’t want to take more than just the cost of prosecuting the case during a forfeiture seizure. But he admits some smaller counties’ prosecutors might argue they need the money more because budgets are tight. Moore does not believe the split between prosecutors is sharp enough to de-rail the proposed changes.