In re Forfeiture of the Following Described Property: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Bearing '75 Massachusetts License Tag 372-766 Vin 124379N511693
This text of 334 So. 2d 82 (In re Forfeiture of the Following Described Property: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Bearing '75 Massachusetts License Tag 372-766 Vin 124379N511693) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court of Appeal of Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
The State of Florida appeals from an order directing that Paul Costigliola’s automobile be returned to him.
Pursuant to § 943.43, Fla.Stat., F.S.A. the police seized Paul Costigliola’s automobile when he was arrested for possession of marijuana while in his automobile. Mr. Costigliola pled guilty to the charge and as a first offender was placed on probation. The police refused to return his automobile and the State petitioned for a rule to show cause why the car should not be forfeited pursuant to § 943.44, F.S. After hearing, the trial judge ordered the vehicle returned to Mr. Costigliola. The State appeals. We affirm.
Forfeitures are not favored in law or equity General Motors Acceptance Corporation v. State, 152 Fla. 297, 11 So.2d 482 (1943). Further, as forfeiture statutes [83]*83are intended to apply to those individuals who are significantly involved in a criminal enterprise, § 943.43, Fla.Stat., F.S.A., authorizing forfeitures, is discretionary and not mandatory. See In re 1972 Porsche 2 Dr., '74 Fla.Lic.Tag ID 91780, Fla.App.1975, 307 So.2d 451.
It is apparent from the transcript that through plea negotiations, the State accepted a guilty plea to posession of marijuana, a misdeameanor offense under § 893.13(1) (f), Fla.Stat., F.S.A. Thus, we find no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial judge in ordering return of Mr. Costigliola’s automobile to him.
Affirmed.
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334 So. 2d 82, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 14559, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-forfeiture-of-the-following-described-property-1969-chevrolet-camaro-fladistctapp-1976.