Opinion ID: 154163
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Remedy for Due Process Violation

Text: 14 The district court found that Mr. Muchnick's right to due process was violated when Lot 85 was seized before receiving notice or a hearing. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the proper remedy for this violation is the dismissal of the forfeiture action. 15 The Tenth Circuit has already held that a due process violation such as this one does not invalidate the forfeiture as long as evidence obtained in the illegal seizure is not used against the claimant in the forfeiture proceedings. United States v. 51 Pieces of Real Property, Roswell, N.M., 17 F.3d 1306, 1315-16 (10th Cir. 1994). In addition, the government must return to the claimant any rents that accrued during the period of the illegal seizure. Id. at 1316. No evidence obtained during the illegal seizure was used against the Defendant in the forfeiture proceedings, and no rents accrued during the period of the illegal seizure. Indeed, Mr. Muchnick entered into an agreement with the federal marshal which permitted him to occupy the property during the pendency of the forfeiture proceeding. Under the law of this circuit, dismissal of the action is not required.