No state laws require law enforcement authorities to follow orderly inventory, custody and disposal procedures for property seized during gambling, bingo, drug and other vice arrests.
Laws governing the distribution of forfeited assets are not uniform and allow prosecutors to choose the provision most likely to result in a favorable distribution of assets. Disposition provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act are unclear regarding payment of investigative expenses from seized assets.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.