Opinion ID: 1770580
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jurisprudence From Other States Which Have Adopted Statutes Based On The Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Text: It is apparent from the analysis above that the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, do not consider the U.S. Constitution to require proof beyond a reasonable doubt in forfeiture cases. Rather, the language in Boyd, U.S. Coin and Currency, and One 1958 Plymouth Sedan which was relied on in Manuel has been limited and clarified in subsequent cases. It has been seen that the Louisiana jurisprudence cited in Manuel, along with Boyd, U.S. Coin and Currency, and One 1958 Plymouth Sedan, cannot be said to justify the full sweep of the conclusion reached in Manuel that all criminal constitutional protections apply. It is also appropriate to note that the overwhelming majority of states follow the federal lead. [3] The following statutory provisions and court decisions make express references to the burden of proof not being beyond a reasonable doubt in forfeiture actions. Ala.Code § 20-2-93 (1975) (The standard of proof required under this section is reasonable satisfaction); State v. Blair, 435 So.2d 124 (Ala.Civ.App.1983); Tucker v. State, 445 So.2d 311 (Ala.Civ.App.1984); Pickron v. State, 443 So.2d 905 (Ala.1983); Woods v. State, 247 Ala. 155, 22 So.2d 901 (1945); Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 13-4311 (Supp.1986), (Civil in rem action); Ark. Stat.Ann. § 82-2629 (Supp.1985); Reding v. State, 277 Ark. 288, 641 S.W.2d 24 (1982) (preponderance); Reddin v. State, 15 Ark. App. 399, 695 S.W.2d 394 (1985) (in rem civil proceeding, independent of the criminal charge and to be decided by a preponderance of the evidence); Fla.Stat. §§ 932.701-704 (1985); In Re Forfeiture of 1974 Ford Pickup Truck, 462 So.2d 1127 (Fla.App.1984) (Forfeiture is a civil remedy and the law does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt to sustain the petitioner's case. Marks v. State, 416 So.2d 872 (Fla.App.1982); Tallahassee v. The Forfeiture of One Yellow 1979 Fiat, 414 So.2d 1100 (Fla.App.1982)); In re Forfeiture of 1983 Wellcraft Scarab, 487 So. 2d 306 (Fla.App.1986) (State need only show probable cause that the res is subject to forfeiture); Morgan v. State, 172 Ga. App. 375, 323 S.E.2d 620 (1984) (preponderance); Idaho Code § 37-2744 (Supp.1987) (Forfeiture proceedings shall be civil actions against the property subject to forfeiture and the standard of proof shall be preponderance of the evidence. § 37-2744(d)); Ill.Rev.Stat. ch. 56½, § 1505 (Supp.1987); People v. LeShoure, 97 Ill.Dec. 880, 143 Ill.App.3d 839, 493 N.E. 2d 687 (1986) (preponderance); Ind.Code § 16-6-8.5-5.1 (1983); Iowa Code §§ 809.11 (Supp.1987) (Forfeiture is a civil proceeding. At the hearing the burden is on the state to prove by a preponderance ...); Miss.Code Ann. § 41-29-153 (Supp.1986) (preponderance); Reed v. State, 460 So.2d 115 (Miss.1984) (preponderance); Ervin v. State, 434 So.2d 1324 (Miss.1938) (preponderance); N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 318-B:17-b (Supp.1987) (shall be deemed a civil suit in equity in which the state shall have the burden of proving all material facts by a preponderance of the evidence....); S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §§ 34-20B-70 et seq. (1986) (Forfeiture proceedings shall be civil actions against the property seized and the standard of proof shall be preponderance of the evidence.); Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat. Ann. art. 4476-15 § 5.07(b) (Vern.Supp. 1987) (preponderance); Valles v. State, 646 S.W.2d 636 (Tex.App.1983) (preponderance); Sochemaro v. Rossetti, 6 Misc.2d 23, 161 N.Y.S.2d 454 (1957) (forfeiture is civil); Lettner v. Plummer, 559 S.W.2d 785 (Tenn.1977) (preponderance); Commonwealth v. 1978 Toyota, 468 A.2d 1125 (Pa. Super.1983) (despite quasi-criminal nature, preponderance is enough); State v. S and S Meats, Inc., 92 Wis.2d 64, 284 N.W.2d 712 (App.1979) (greater weight of the credible evidence).