8110 La Jolla Shores Drive #201
							La Jolla, California 92037

							Wednesday 30 August 1995

Brian Bilbray
315 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Bilbray,
	I write in support of HR 1916, Henry Hyde's Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act. 
Asset forfeiture has grown out of control during the past decade.  People who
are charged with a crime have a right to due process of law before being
deprived of property.  Sadly, the same has not been true for those not charged
but merely suspected of a crime or associated with a crime.  Current asset
forfeiture laws allow property to be confiscated without compensation even if no
charges are ever proven, and even if the owner of the property had no knowledge
that the property was being used in criminal activity.
	The current system of asset forfeiture is nothing more than a revenue source
for a government that has grown out of control.  It is not fair and it has no
place in a democratic society.  I urge you to support HR 1916.

					Sincerely,


					Matthew Belmonte