Holder limits seized-asset sharing that split billions with local, state police

[pbrower2a]

Governments can probably:

1. Sequester cash and near-liquid assets (like marketable securities) that could be used for flight or the continued operation of a criminal enterprise

2. Confiscate and hold valuable items that might be proceeds from an unlawful operation

3. Stop the potential sale of non-liquid assets (like cars and real estate) or borrowing against them if the funds could be used for flight or the continued operation of a criminal enterprise

4. Collect income streams (profits, dividends, interest) to be added to cash holdings already sequestered

5. Sell objects of wasting value or that are usually sold during the operation of the business (such as livestock, crops, farm produce, or milk).

Asset forfeiture is rightly done only as the decision of a civil or criminal trial. So go ahead and sell the assets of a drug dealer upon conviction -- but not until then.