In Re Forfeiture of One 1983 Cadillac

439 N.W.2d 346, 176 Mich. App. 277

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 3, 1989
• Docket: Docket 103961
• Status: Published

Opinions

E.A. Quinnell, J.

This is an appeal as of right from a circuit court order forfeiting proceeds from the sale of a 1983 Cadillac pursuant to enforcement of the controlled substances act, MCL 333.7501 et seq.; MSA 14.15(7501) et seq.

The subject 1983 Cadillac was owned by Robert D. Wood, D.D.S., P.C. On November 22, 1983, Dr. Wood met with an undercover detective in the 1983 Cadillac, where Dr. Wood gave the detective a prescription for dilaudid, a controlled substance. On November 23, 1983, the car was seized without process pursuant to MCL 333.7521(l)(d); MSA 14.15(7521)(l)(d) and MCL 333.7522; MSA 14.15(7522). Forfeiture proceedings were commenced on March 26, 1984, four months after the seizure of the Cadillac. During the time the car was impounded, Dr. and Mrs. Wood made payments of $300 per month on the outstanding lien. The parties stipulated to adjourn the forfeiture matter until the criminal case against Dr. Wood was concluded. At a forfeiture hearing held on April 15, 1987, the trial court held that the Cadillac was used by Dr. Wood for a purpose prohibited by MCL 333.7521; MSA 14.15(7521) and that the delay in bringing the forfeiture proceedings was not unreasonable under MCL 333.7523; MSA 14.15(7523).

The first issue is whether the 1983 Cadillac was a proper object for seizure and forfeiture.

The relevant part of the statute covering property subject to forfeiture in effect at the time of the seizure reads as follows:

The following are subject to forfeiture:

(a) A controlled substance which has been manufactured, distributed, dispensed, possessed, or acquired in violation of this article.

(b) A raw material, product, or equipment of any kind which is used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting a controlled substance in violation of this article.

(d) A conveyance, including an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel used or intended for use, to transport, or in any manner to facilitate the transportation, for the purpose of sale or receipt of property described in subdivision (a) or (b) . . . . [MCL 333.7521; MSA 14.15(7521). Emphasis added.]

By statutory definition:

"Dispense” means to deliver or issue a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, administering, or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for the delivery or issuance. [MCL 333.7105(2); MSA 14.15(7105X2). Emphasis added.]

By this definition, the term "dispense” in MCL 333.7521; MSA 14.15(7521) means not only actually dispensing but also prescribing a controlled substance. The vehicle used for the purpose of receipt of a prescription is subject to forfeiture because the prescription is a dispensed controlled substance by statutory definition. The 1983 Cadillac was used to receive the prescription and to facilitate the transportation of a dispensed controlled substance, and is therefore subject to forfeiture.

Next, we review whether the forfeiture proceedings were instituted "promptly” as required by § 7523 of the controlled substances act, MCL 333.7523; MSA 14.15(7523).

We strictly construe § 7523 as requiring the prompt institution of in rem forfeiture proceedings to ensure that the due process rights of the claimants are protected. Const 1963, art 1, § 17. We note that the act provides that where property is seized without process proceedings "shall” be instituted "promptly.” We agree with prior decisions of this Court which have held that this connotes a mandatory duty imposed by law to institute proceedings promptly. See Lenawee Prosecutor v One 1981 Buick Two-Door Riviera, 165 Mich App 762, 766-767; 419 NW2d 458 (1988).

In defining promptness, this Court has established certain factors which must be considered by the trial court. These factors include, but are not limited to

the lapse of time between seizure and filing of the complaint, the reason for the delay, the resulting prejudice to the defendant and the nature of the property seized. [Dep’t of Natural Resources v Parish, 71 Mich App 745, 750; 249 NW2d 163 (1976).]

We find that the above factors clearly militate in favor of the Woods.

The length of time between seizure and complaint, as contemplated by the Legislature, can be gleaned at least in part from a 1985 amendment to the statute. 1985 PA 135, § 1. Following seizure, the government must give notice of the seizure to the owner by personal delivery or by certified mail. If notice cannot be so accomplished, notice may be given by publication for ten consecutive days. MCL 333.7523(l)(a); MSA 14.15(7523)(l)(a). Any person claiming an interest in the property must file a claim and bond with the government within twenty days after receiving notice or after the first published notice. MCL 333.7523(l)(b); MSA 14.15(7523)(l)(b). If the interested person fails to file the claim and bond within twenty days, the property is forfeited to the government. MCL 333.7523(l)(c); MSA 14.15(7523)(l)(c). If a claim is filed, the government’s attorney "shall promptly institute forfeiture proceedings after the expiration of the twenty-day period.” MCL 333.7523(l)(b); MSA 14.15(7523)(l)(b).

In context, it is clear that the Legislature was thinking in terms of days in using "promptly.” Since the Legislature allowed a claimant only twenty days in which to file a claim and bond, and required action by the government "promptly” if a claim was filed, it appears reasonable that the Legislature had some similar period of time in mind in which the government could file a complaint. However, we decline to adopt any bright line twenty-day test. The Legislature could have done so if it wished, and it did not do so. Each case will present its own unique facts. The remaining Parish factors must be considered.

As to the second factor, the prosecutor justified its delay by the need to do a search and investigation into whether forfeiture actions could be brought against Dr. Wood’s dental practice and his building. However, we believe that forfeiture proceedings against the practice and building have no real bearing on whether forfeiture proceedings could be instituted against the car. As such, this factor weighs in favor of the Woods.

The third factor is the resulting prejudice to the Woods from the delay. Here, the Woods were prejudiced because the automobile is a wasting asset whose value diminishes when it is impounded and upon which the Woods continued to make payments to protect their interest. See Parish, supra at 752. We believe the Woods were prejudiced by the delay.

Fourth, since the automobile was inherently harmless and therefore of little interest to the government, this factor weighs in the Woods’ favor. See Parish, supra at 753.

In our determination, we are mindful that:

"We must not lose sight of the fact that this is a seizure of property, a very drastic, direct, and immediate remedy. Such a seizure is justified on apparently ancient doctrines that the sovereign may seize the instrumentality of a crime in addition to punishing its perpetrator. The instrumentality of a crime is something quite different from what we call contraband, such as goods smuggled across a border, or narcotics. Yet, the instrumentality of a crime is treated the same in terms of the sovereign’s right to employ summary seizure proceedings.” United States v One 1971 Opel G T, 360 F Supp [638, 642 (CD Cal, 1973)]. [Parish, supra at 753.]

We conclude that the prosecutor failed to file the instant forfeiture action promptly and reverse the trial court in this regard.

Reversed.

MacKenzie, P.J., concurred.