Amt Richards, Townsquare Media
Amt Richards, Townsquare Media
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Some Wyoming lawmakers are pushing a new bill that would require the state to secure criminal convictions to support forfeiture actions that take cash and other assets from people law enforcement authorities suspect of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Gov. Matt Mead vetoed a bill last year that would have required criminal convictions to support forfeiture cases. He said he was satisfied with current procedures.

Forfeiture cases can involve substantial amounts of money. A state judge this month rejected an Illinois man's request to dismiss a civil forfeiture case in which police seized $470,000 in cash from his vehicle in Uinta Count. The man wasn't charged with a crime.

It would require a two-thirds vote of lawmakers to introduce the new bill in the legislative session starting next month.

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