Funding & Forfeitures

By Criss Candelaria, Apache County Attorney

Last year was best year yet for finding funds to combat crime. We had over $363,000 ordered forfeited for law enforcement purposes. There remain over $61,000.00 awaiting court orders.

Significant recent expenditures of forfeited funds include:

• $80K for a new canine unit, i.e. vehicle, with light bar, sirens, canine package, and for
a new canine for the Apache County Crime Enforcement Team (ACCENT);
• $20K for new automation equipment, laptops, and in car cameras for ACCENT;
• Navajo Nation Police Department Canine Officers received training last Summer and again this Spring paid in part by forfeited monies attributable to the NNPD participation with ACCENT in mostly drug cases;
• Funding community education programs;
• Approximately $140,000 remains available to assist with additional purchases, and overtime pay to support law enforcement operations.

Under state law we are able to use funds ordered forfeited by the Court for law enforcement purposes to fight crime and drugs. After notice and the opportunity to be heard to those claiming the property to be forfeited, the court can order property forfeited to the County if it finds that the property was used to further criminal activity or that represents the proceeds (profits) of criminal activity. Usually we seize cash and cars running drugs on 1-40; and the cars, and other property for that matter, once ordered forfeited by the Court are sold at auction and the proceeds put into the Fund. The County Attorney's Office files all of the papers in the Apache County Superior Court to obtain the forfeitures; and under the statute the forfeited funds are managed by the County Attorney.

Our ability to obtain these funds reduces the burden on taxpayers and provides resources to continue our efforts to combat crime.

© 2008 Criss Candelaria