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equitable sharing
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![Despite reform efforts, state and local police are still teaming up with federal law enforcement to seize millions](https://cdn.muckrock.com/news_images/2017/10/10/TroopCov.jpg.800x600_q85_crop.jpg)
Despite reform efforts, state and local police are still teaming up with federal law enforcement to seize millions
In recent years many states have begun to to reform civil asset forfeiture, by either reducing the percentage of money police are allowed to keep, or reducing the number of situations in which assets are allowed to be seized. While some of these efforts have been more successful than others, a practice called Equitable Sharing continues to undercut these efforts and keep the worst excesses of police seizure alive.
![In Texas, civil forfeiture laws are lax and seizures rake in millions](https://cdn.muckrock.com/news_images/texas.jpg.800x600_q85_crop.jpg)
In Texas, civil forfeiture laws are lax and seizures rake in millions
Earlier this week, Todd Feathers introduced us to Equitable Sharing, and how police work with the DOJ to get around some state’s restrictions on civil forfeiture funds. But what about states where those restrictions aren’t so strict? Houston PD provided a detailed look at police property seizures in Texas, and it isn’t pretty.
![Most states have strict laws concerning seized funds – here's how police and the feds work together to get around them](https://cdn.muckrock.com/news_images/seizure2.jpg.800x600_q85_crop.jpg)
Most states have strict laws concerning seized funds – here’s how police and the feds work together to get around them
The Department of Justice makes billions of dollars each year through deals with state and local police forces that can act as loopholes in more stringent state laws governing how much money police get to keep when they take a person’s property without pressing charges.