Civil asset forfeiture is common in the U.S. (Score 1)

You are unfamiliar with the practice of civil forfeiture, where the traceable proceeds of a crime can be taken in civil court. In civil court, the prosecution has a much lower burden of proof than is required in a criminal court. HR 46 would extend civil forfeiture to computer equipment, and make it forfeitable in the same way as the proceeds of crime are forfeitable now, without the need for a criminal trial, or a criminal court's need for proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

For more information critical of civil forfeiture see www.fear.org. Asset forfeiture is widely used in the United States.

Ed