I'm always amazed at how people who are sworn to uphold the Constitution are so willing to disregard it.  Yesterday, we had this bit of news from the Milwaukee Police Dept:

Frustrated by a weekend cruising ritual that gridlocks intersections and gobbles up officers' time, some Milwaukee leaders are pushing for new tools to fight the problem, boosting fines and letting police seize cars by declaring them a "nuisance."

Police Chief Nannette Hegerty and others said the city also needs help from the state Legislature. The state does not allow cities to pass traffic laws that are tougher than Wisconsin statutes. The city wants the authority to take cars and keep them while trying to have them seized in court, as other cities have done.
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If a car is ticketed two or more times, the city could move to seize it in court. But the city can't keep the car while the seizure proceeding advances. A change in state law would be needed to allow that, said Richard Withers, research analyst for the city, who has studied the issue for months.
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Authorities can seize cars and other property as part of drug operations. In Milwaukee, the city can take cars involved in soliciting a prostitute, Withers said. But taking cars causing havoc on the roads would be new.

Emphasis mine, via Boots and Sabers.  OK kids... time to review our 5th Amendment again:

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

So basically the city of Milwaukee is asking that people be deprived of their cars before they actually get to court.  Yeah... who needs due process really... its just a formality right?  For some eye popping information about asset forfeiture.. especially relating to drug cases (which they use as a model in this article), check this out.  It's an old article, but it's still largely accurate.  Any time you give police more power to seize property, and allow them to make a profit from it (and profits from sold assets go back to the police departments), it's a recipe for danger.  In some cases, assets have been sold off before the court date!  Talk about giving lip service to the Constitution.

We should be discouraging these kinds of laws, not making it easier.