if an officer has probable cause to believe that property is not lawfully yours, because it's the proceeds of illegal activity, he can seize it.
It's more than that, based on my past reading of instances of abuse of this. If the officer believes that the property could in any way be related to a crime, it can be seized. That has nothing to do with whether or not it's lawfully yours. Pretty insane, and could cover basically anything.
Exactly, people have been evicted from their homes because a drug deal took place on the front porch. It doesn't matter that the homeowners' names are on the deed. All that matters is that the house was "used in the commission of a crime". The police often times evict people with only an hour notice, so if you aren't home when they come to evict you, expect every worldly possession you own to disappear forever.
The video backs you up in many different cases. Money is seized from drivers based on the police officer's (preposterous) opinion that it will be used illegally in the future (eg to buy drugs), ignoring the reason and evidence the driver has for the money in the first place.
In Philadelphia they seized houses because of $40 of heroin (son of the owners). And then have courtrooms where this stuff can be contested, but without a judge - only the prosecutor who was involved in the first place.
It's more than that, based on my past reading of instances of abuse of this. If the officer believes that the property could in any way be related to a crime, it can be seized. That has nothing to do with whether or not it's lawfully yours. Pretty insane, and could cover basically anything.