Case Name: The State, ex rel. Chandler, v. Butler et al.
Court: Supreme Court of Ohio
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1991-08-28
Citations: 61 Ohio St. 3d 592
Docket Number: No. 91-577
Parties: The State, ex rel. Chandler, v. Butler et al.
Judges: Moyer, C.J., Sweeney, Holmes, Douglas, H. Brown and Resnick, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Ohio State Reports, Third Service
Volume: 61
Pages: 592–594

Head Matter:
The State, ex rel. Chandler, v. Butler et al.
[Cite as State, ex rel. Chandler, v. Butler (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 592.]
(No. 91-577
Submitted April 23, 1991
Decided August 28, 1991.)
Jerry W. Chandler, pro se.
Fay DuPuis, City Solicitor, and Kim Wilson Burke, for respondents Jeff Butler et al.
Christian J. Schaefer, assistant prosecuting attorney, for respondent Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The undisputed facts show that the $4,815 in question was forfeited, pursuant to federal law. See Section 881, Title 21, U.S.Code. Under Article VI of the United States Constitution, the federal Constitution and laws of the United States are made "the supreme law of the land." Since the money was forfeited under federal law, it is immaterial what R.C. 2933.43 states about its return. Relator's claim, if any, is against the federal government.
Accordingly, pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B), we convert respondents' officer Butler's, Cincinnati Police Department's, and city of Cincinnati's motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment, grant it and respondent Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney's motion for summary judgment, and deny relator's motion for summary judgment.
Judgment accordingly.
Moyer, C.J., Sweeney, Holmes, Douglas, H. Brown and Resnick, JJ., concur.
Wright, J., dissents in part.