A recent news story from NewsChannel 5 in Nashville led me (via a friend) to this video on ‘civil forfeiture.’ It is worth your two minutes.
And remember, the only appropriate answer from a law-abiding citizen to the police query, “Do you mind if I take a look inside your briefcase/car/suitcase/backpack?” is, “Not unless you have a search warrant duly executed by a judge.” And have an attorney’s name and number in your phone at all times.