Scots Crush Cars Over 'Document Offenses'

I've written before that Scotland is, let's say, not the freest place in the world. The Scots have now upped the ante with a law that lets police play judge, jury, and executioner.

Now cars can be seized and crushed if document offences are detected — and the region’s top police officer said yesterday a “clear message” is being sent to would-be offenders. ... Tough new powers in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 will allow officers to put the squeeze on “irresponsible and selfish” motorists.

The "would-be offenders," in this case, are not only people who drive without a license, but also those who get behind the wheel without insurance. I don't disagree that they need to be caught and corrected, but there's something very unsettling about the fact that they apparently can't have their day in court — that it's within a mere cop's powers to order a vehicle destroyed. And while I know precious little about Scottish law, I somehow doubt that the "Serious Organised Crime and Police Act" was passed to allow police to literally crush the property of suspects who may be guilty of not having the right papers.