Barry Matson Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

Legislature passes bill to reform civil asset forfeiture

The legislation reforms the procedures through which the state can seize assets because the owner is accused of criminal wrongdoing.

May 18, 2021

House to address civil asset forfeiture reform on last day of session

The House Rules Committee has made civil asset forfeiture reform a high priority for the last day of the session.

May 17, 2021

House committee advances civil asset forfeiture bill

Civil asset forfeiture is an area that has troubled many civil liberties advocates of both political parties.

April 29, 2021

Alabama Senate passed civil asset forfeiture legislation

The legislation would exempt funds of less than $250 and vehicles worth less than $5,000 from civil asset forfeiture.

April 23, 2021

Medical Cannabis Study Commission has a draft bill

The legislature assigned the Medical Cannabis Study Commission with the task of making a recommendation to the Alabama legislature on what a medical marijuana bill would look like in the state of Alabama. The Commission met on Thursday and for the first time began working on a first draft of that legislation. State Senator Tim … Continued

November 8, 2019

Ivey awards grant to help victims of abuse and violent crime

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has awarded a $700,000 grant for a new way to help victims of sexual abuse and violent crime better cope with the fallout and the anxieties that can come with criminal justice proceedings. The Office of Prosecution Services is using grant funds to place Certified Facility Dogs throughout the state. … Continued

March 14, 2019

Despite Supreme Court ruling, Alabama’s civil forfeiture laws will remain awful

The U.S Supreme Court on Wednesday mandated an overhaul of how America’s police departments and courts handle the seizure of assets from people convicted of a crime — stating plainly that 8th amendment protections against excessive fines also apply to states. But don’t worry. Cops in Alabama are still free to take your stuff, crime … Continued

February 21, 2019

Ivey awards $6.3 million grant to the Office of Prosecution Services to help crime victims

Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday the award of a $6.3 million grant to support crime victims as they navigate the criminal justice system. The grant was awarded to the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services to provide 88 certified victim service officers throughout the state. The officers will be stationed at local district attorneys’ offices and … Continued

December 10, 2018

DA Greg Griggers shot in Demopolis

The District Attorney for Marengo, Greene and Sumter Counties, Greg Griggers, was ambushed outside of his Demopolis office by a suspect Thursday. The attempted assassin was killed by law enforcement according to Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese. Griggers is the DA for Judicial Circuit 17 District Attorney. Authorities are reporting that Griggers was ambushed as … Continued

November 16, 2018