In many states, including Ohio, the police may seize and keep a person’s assets merely with evidence that “wrongdoing” has occurred. This includes cars, houses, boats, and cash. A person does not have to be convicted of a crime to suffer civil asset forfeiture, and in many instances “evidence of wrongdoing” is very subjectively interpreted by the police.
There is currently a bill moving through the Ohio legislature that would curtail this practice, and if passed, would require a conviction before the police could keep seized assets.
See the WCPO Cincinnati story here.
Wrongful Convictions Blog 
Long overdue. Thank you Ohio for leading the way!