Document: 516 U.S. 442116 S.Ct. 994134 L.Ed.2d 68 Tina B. BENNIS, Petitioner,v.MICHIGAN. No. 94-8729. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Nov. 29, 1995. Decided March 4, 1996. Syllabus * Petitioner was a joint owner, with her husband, an automobile in which husband engaged sexual activity prostitute. In declaring forfeit as public nuisance under Michigan's statutory abatement scheme, trial court permitted no offset for petitioner's interest, notwithstanding lack knowledge husband's activity. The Michigan Appeals reversed, but turn reversed by State Court, concluded, inter alia, that failure to provide innocent-owner defense without federal constitutional consequence this Court's decisions. Held: forfeiture order did not offend Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment or Takings Fifth Amendment. Pp. __-__. (a) scheme has deprived petitioner interest forfeited car due process. Her claim she entitled contest showing know would use violate state law is defeated long and unbroken line cases held owner's property may be reason put even though owner it such use. See, e.g., Van Oster v. Kansas, 272 465, 467-468, 47 133, 134, 71 L.Ed. 354, Calero-Toledo Pearson Yacht Leasing Co., 416 663, 668, 683, 94 2080, 2084, 2091-2092, 40 452; Foucha Louisiana, 504 71, 80, 112 1780, 1785-1786, 118 437, Austin States, 509 602, ----, 113 2801, 125 488, distinguished. These are too firmly fixed country's punitive remedial jurisprudence now displaced. Cf. J.W. Goldsmith, Jr.-Grant Co. 254 505, 511, 41 189, 191, 65 376. (b) taken compensation. Because proceeding Amendment, transferred virtue State. government required compensate already lawfully acquired exercise governmental authority other than power eminent domain. Fuller, 409 492, 93 801, 804, 35 16. P. __. 447 Mich. 719, 527 N.W.2d 483, affirmed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion O'CONNOR, SCALIA, THOMAS, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. THOMAS filed concurring opinions. STEVENS, J., dissenting opinion, SOUTER BREYER, KENNEDY, opinion. On Writ Certiorari Michigan. Barry Levenstam, Chicago, IL, petitioner. James A. Feldman, Washington, DC, respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 A ordered nuisance, We hold 2 Detroit police arrested John Bennis after observing him act prostitute while parked on city street. convicted gross indecency.1 then sued both his wife, Bennis, have declared abated §§ 600.38012 600.38253 Compiled Laws. 3 defended against ground that, when entrusted car, he indecency law. Wayne County Circuit rejected argument, car's abatement. reaching disposition, judge recognized discretion had case App. 21. He took into account couple's ownership "another automobile," so they left "without transportation." Id., at 25. also mentioned payment one-half sale proceeds, deduction costs, "the innocent co-title holder." declined division proceeds because age value (an 11-year-old Pontiac sedan recently purchased $600); commented regard: "[T]here's practically nothing minus costs situation this." 4 holding regardless language Law § 600.3815(2),4 precedent interpreting section prevented from abating absent proof knew what end used. Alternatively, intermediate appellate ruled conduct question qualify only one occurrence shown there evidence act. 200 Mich.App. 670, 731 (1993). 5 reinstated its entirety. 483 (1994). It concluded matter episode vehicle abatable nuisance. Rejecting Appeals' interpretation 600.3815(2), announced abate vehicle, does need prove agreed used manner proscribed 600.3801 another user. 737, N.W.2d, 492. next addressed challenges State's scheme: assumed consent misuse light our decisions 354 (1926), 452 (1974), consequen ce." Mich., 740-741, 493-494. specifically noted view, "a consent." 742, n. 36, 495, 36. Furthermore, confirmed court's description "equitable action," considered "critical" comprehended statute. 495. 6 granted certiorari determine whether process, violation compensation, incorporated 515 115 2275, 132 279 (1995). affirm. 7 gravamen process denied notice opportunity car; accorded both. Compare Daniel Good Real Property, 510 114 126 490 Rather, claims But holds 8 Our earliest effect Story's Palmyra, 12 Wheat. 1, 531 (1827). been commissioned privateer King Spain attacked vessel, captured war ship brought Charleston, South Carolina, adjudication. 8. Government's appeal acquittal contended vessel could until privateering. contention, explaining: "The thing here primarily offender, rather offence attached thing." 14. admiralty decision 17 years later, Story wrote rem proceedings acts master crew . bind ship, guilty; impliedly submits whatever denounces their unlawful wanton wrongs." Harmony How. 210, 234, 11 239 (1844) (emphasis added). 9 Dobbins's Distillery 96 395, 401, 24 637 (1878), upheld lessee fraudulently avoiding alcohol taxes, observing: "Cases often arise where fraud, neglect, misconduct those intrusted possession, care, custody, otherwise fault always [the possessors] guilty." 10 purchaser's misused seller. dealer might retain possession business. allowed associate automobile, illegal transportation intoxicating liquor. 465-466, S.Ct., 133-134. action pursuant Kansas statute, liquor authority. This Oster's claim: "It unknown indeed uncommon visit upon unpleasant consequences unauthorized whom it. Much jurisdiction admiralty, much statute common liens enables mere bailee subject bailed lien, vendor chattels sell convey good title stranger, familiar examples. They suggest certain uses regarded undesirable surrenders control peril. settled forfeitures lienor who revenue laws clause Amendment." 134. 13 relied 376 (1921), seller's purchaser. purchaser transported bootleg distilled spirits it, selling dealership lost retained security unpaid purchase money. 508-509, 190. discussed arguments allowing guilt," id., 510, 190-191, "whether challenged scheme] artificial real, country displaced," 191.5 14 most recent point, reviewed same above, innocence almost uniformly defense." 2091-2092. position various owners involved beginning Palmyra 1827. She forfeiture. these protect government. 15 relies passage Calero-Toledo, "it difficult reject proved uninvolved unaware wrongful activity, done all reasonably expected prevent property." U.S., 689, 2094-2095. concedes comment obiter dictum, "[i]t holdings cases, dicta, we must attend." Kokkonen Guardian Life Ins. America, 511 1673, 1676, 128 391 And point yacht rental company leased yachts controlled substances, " 'in way criminal enterprise carried [the] lessee' 'had being connection [Puerto Rican Law].' 2084. made beyond here. 16 dissent argues treat contraband differently instrumentalities contraband, like cars: Objects former class forfeitable "however blameless unknowing be," post, __, respect instrumentality latter class, "principal property," 1005. However, never inquiry depend principal If had, perhaps Douglas "yacht notoriously smuggling drugs far marihuana cigarette found yacht," 693, 2096-2097 (opinion part), decided differently. suggests "would justify confiscation ocean liner just passengers sinned board." Post, None confiscated activities passenger. said Goldsmith-Grant, repeat here, "[w]hen application shall will time enough pronounce it." 512, 191. 18 Notwithstanding well-established rejecting defense, should overrule importing culpability requirement having best tangential relation "innocent owner" doctrine cases. cites 437 (1992), proposition defendant punished crime if guilty. 488 (1993), Excessive Fines Clause6 limits scope civil judgments, reconcile any rule truly persons forfeiture." Brief 18-19, 12. 19 guilty insanity thereafter confined indefinitely either dangerous mentally ill. statement circumstances "punitive interest" continued detention, requires demonstrate depriving car. But, putting aside extent "punishment" first place, purport discuss, let alone overrule, 20 Austin, "forfeiture serves, least part, punish owner," limitations Eighth Amendment's prohibition excessive fines. 2810. There occasion deal validity "innocent-owner defense," out allows additional itself "punitive" motive. 2809-2810. case, however, emphasized issue: contested equitable consider "alternatives [to] entire vehicle." 21 event, reasons pointed Oster, serves deterrent purpose distinct purpose. Forfeiture prevents "both preventing further illicit [property] imposing economic penalty, thereby rendering behavior unprofitable." supra, 687, 2094. mechanism hardly unique For instance, deters driving making motor liable negligent operation driver potentially negligence Comp. Ann. 257.401 (1990). thus builds secondary forbidden precludes evasions dispensing necessity judicial collusion between wrongdoer alleged owner." 22 taking private applicable (1973); see Rands, 389 121, 125, 88 265, 268, 329 (1967). 23 At bottom, argument unfair relieves prosecutors burden separating co-owners complicit co-owners. abstract, considerable appeal, acknowledged 190-191. Its force reduced instant confirmation discretion, recognition Tr. Oral Arg. 7, 9. conclude today, concl uded 75 ago, authorizing actions kind issue "too displaced." sought deter contributes neighborhood deterioration unsafe streets. conceded, facilitated Both followed longstanding practice, judgment therefore 25 Affirmed. 26 concurring. 27 I join 28 Mrs. points wrongdoing. responds simply mind. says wants punish, deterrence retributive purposes, colluded acquiesced property, negligently someone likely misfeasance. continues, want (or refute regarding) collusion, acquiescence, negligence. 29 As notes, evasion normal before punishment well seem "unfair." Ante, One history regarding assume lawless—a remarked ago ruling challenge owner: 30 "If were kind, apparent paradoxes compel lengthy discussion harmonize [statute issue] accepted tests human conduct. strength contention seems justice foundation Constitution." 190, (1921). 31 went uphold based historical prevalence acceptance similar laws. 510-511, 32 ultimately reminder Federal Constitution prohibit everything intensely undesirable. Herrera Collins, 506 390, 428, 853, 874-875, 122 203, (1993) (SCALIA, concurring). detailed cited therein, wrongdoing, merely "used" "instrumentality" England country, adoption Amendments. Burnham Superior Cal., Marin, 495 604, 619, 110 2105, 2115, 109 631 (1990) (plurality opinion) (a can show sanction usage law) (citing Hurtado California, 516, 528-529, 111, 117-118, 232 (1884)). Indeed, 70 absence occurred "knowledge authority" owner. 466, 133. exception owners, said, "builds defense" "against 33 result wrongdoing—for example, means "use" purposes law—are clear me. See 497-499, (THOMAS, part part). Those limits, be, become especially significant sole restrictions state's ability take suspects, suspect, colluding crime. appropriate, concerned, apply strictly, adhering standards determining specific 191 (describing more extreme hypothetical applications reserving permissibility applications). facts do me obviously distinguishable Oster; asserted 34 anything, harder albeit different respect. apparently sales price exceed "costs" deducted sale; fact how dispose labeled "nuisance" authorized procedure risk Mr. (forfeiture sale); regime, destruction instead, plausible "remedial" noncompensable. That chose sold, virtually over "costs," change character substantially. (and refusal remit share Bennis) appropriately characterized action, severe problems punishing wrongdoing arise.* Improperly used, roulette wheel employed raise hapless whose unforeseeably misused, tool wielded criminals, component system justice. When crime, assigns political branches Government primary responsibility result. 36 37 highlight features key my judgment. 38 opinions target scarcely resembling "red abatement" prescription, interpreted courts. First, bears emphasis belonged Bennis. times his. ante, (majority (noting distinction consent, consent). uncontested itself. 1000 9). question, then, portion (if police, prosecutorial, costs) right. 39 Second, action." __ ex rel. Cty. Prosecutor (1994)). stands ready exorbitant shows high attribute members tolerance of, insensitivity to, inequitable administration Nor fair charge "blatant unfairness" hand. 14, 1010 (STEVENS, dissenting). pains explain, two practical reasons: Bennises 25; $600) "practically nothing" divide subtraction costs. 25). Michigan, short, embarked experiment third parties. condone experiment. Johns using cars own co-own) contribute blight, endeavor warrants disapprobation. 42 BREYER join, dissenting. 43 centuries prostitutes plying trade people's property. Assignations palaces, luxury hotels, cruise ships, college dormitories, truck stops, back alleys seats. profession vintage provided governments countless opportunities novel weapons curtail abuses. am aware, 1988 parties confiscating which, single transaction consummated. 44 logic analysis permit unbridled confiscate vast amounts professional criminals acts. Some airline marijuana cigarettes luggage; some hotel guests thieves; spectators sports events carry concealed weapons; hitchhikers prostitutes. surely impose strict obligations airlines, stadiums, vehicles degree care others neither nor supports assumption complete imposes impediment seizure locus transaction. 45 emphasize novelty holding, tenuous intended punished, whic h differentiates relies. significance ascribable case. Finally, explain why believe compels reversal. 46 useful identify three categories seizure: pure contraband; activity; tools criminal's trade. category—pure —encompasses items adulterated food, sawed-off shotguns, narcotics, smuggled goods. With "objects more, constitutes crime," 1958 Plymouth Sedan Pennsylvania, 380 699, 85 1246, 1250, 170 (1965), obvious removing circulation, however be. States' broad seize implicated automobiles contraband. ibid. 48 second category—proceeds —traditionally covered stolen return original powerful restitutionary justification. Recent enactments dramatically enlarged category include earnings transactions. 92 Buena Vista Ave., Rumson, N. 507 16, 1126, 1133, 469 statutes protections U.S.C. 881(a)(6), arising address so. protection legislation does, lend support conclusion elementary notions fairness require attention impact rights parties.1 49 includes commission known "derivative contraband," Sedan, 1250. problematic two, broader sweep, government's less apparent. Many kinds seizures ships piracy seas,2 slave trade,3 cargoes goods States.4 sovereign approved despite faultlessness ship's mission unlawful, treated offender.5 Moreover, maritime Middle Ages source, limit, liability."6 50 early presume valuable aware presumption provides adequate justification deprivation one's real estate another's adverse period unlawful. Thus, 399, (1877), premises operated distillery "knowingly suffer[ed] permitt[ed] land site" distillery. transport liquor, smuggle customs laws.7 51 While establish propriety seizing freighter cargo consists goods, none them board. Phile Ship Anna, (1 Dall.) 197, 206, 98 (C.P. Phila.Cty.1787) (holding inappropriate item hidden board trifling thing, easily concealed, fairly escape captain"); (1921) (expressing doubt about expansive site trysts. record ever previously An isol ated stationary theory constituted 52 differs precedents second, crucial way. actually offenses themselves. Goldsmith-Grant 513, (referring adaptability particular form purpose"); 235, (1844). leading conveyances, element. prohibited Carroll 267 132, 136, 280, 281, 69 543 (1925) (car compartments carrying liquor). similarly, seized "to transport, facilitate of" substance. 665-666, 2082-2084.8 Here, hand, bore necessary offense committed husband. true multitude locations. mobile played negotiation, consummation offense. 53 years, majority concept forfeiture—also expressed idea "tainted" —must outer limit. home auto body shop drug "instruments" 2811. SCALIA building isolated happens place cannot 2815 judgment). too, stated bearing serving location "guilty" 515, little enclosure one-time effectively piece property.9 By laid down nexus insufficient 54 attempts characterize exclusively remedial, opposed ends, goal termed "nuisance." Even correct, rebut excessiveness forfeiture, above. serious punitive. 'forfeiture owner.' (quoting 2810).10 earlier stage litigation, unequivocally argued "is swift 'punishment' voluntary vice consumer." Plaintiff-Appellant 97339 (Mich.), p. 22. Therefore, husband—and, fortiori, herself—is sustainable. 55 judged isolation, falls short present serve ends removal (such burglar's tools) repeated violations housebreaking). Assortment 89 Firearms, 465 364, 104 1099, 1105-1106, 79 361 (1984) (confiscation unregistered shotguns); C.J. Hendry Moore, 318 63 499, 87 663 (1943) (seizure fishing nets laws). disable venues rendezvous, since needed commit place. fact, according testimony trial, sighted twice during previous summer, soliciting neighborhood.11 rationale convincing theory, treats event occurring located relevant neighborhood. 9, supra. "abate" disappears moment leaves area. therefore, type. generally Clark, Civil Criminal Penalties Forfeitures: Framework Constitutional Analysis, 60 Minn. L.Rev. 379, 479-480 (1976). II 56 Apart sufficient committed, reverse entirely Fundamental prohibits people. 57 insists strictly put. Only Terms surveyed antecedents rested "at notion properly negligence." 2808 Distillery, Harmony, ). According hoary fiction guilt ' "such misfortunes owing 2806, quoting W. Blackstone, Commentaries *301. conceded entrustment family permitted. majority, ignores Austin's explanation comment. 58 assuming liability applies "innocent" consistently individuals. 688-690, 2094-2095, established bars alleges proves reasonable steps Accord 2808. dismisses "obiter dictum," principle existed, expressly reserved dating nearly years. decisions, speaking through Marshall, "unquestionably correct legal principle" applied prescribed prevention employed." Peisch Ware, Cranch 347, 363, 643 (1808).12 contexts, axiomatic wrong. Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Danaher, 238 482, 490-491, 886, 888, 59 1419 (1915) (invalidating penalty "no intentional wrongdoing; departure standard reckless conduct"); TXO Production Corp. Alliance Resources Corp., 443, 454, 17, 2711, 2718, 366 (following Danaher ); Bordenkircher Hayes, 434 357, 667-668, 604 (1978); Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 580, 99 1861, 1895-1896, (1979) assumed: rule. certainly legitimate. ordinary commute steel mill worked. testified married nine years; expenditure money earned herself; plans anything except "come directly work," before; called "Missing Persons" failed night question. 8-10. contradicted credible. Without previously, accused failing "reasonable steps" behavior. thief, episode. admits partly nature, asserts "deterrent purpose." all; aims punishment. Halper, 435, 448, 1892, 1901-1902, 487 (1989).13 rationale, moreover, served person 61 plays central role justified reasoning comparable basis agent's torts. Just respondeat superior encourages employers supervise closely employees' conduct, Arizona Evans, 514 5, 1185, 1200, 131 (1995) (GINSBURG, dissenting), entrusting others. 2094; agency recognizes imposition vicarious situations function served; exonerates employer agent strays embarks "frolic own." Park, 421 658, 673, 95 1903, 1912, 489 (1975) (vicarious corporate officer company's impermissible 'powerless' violation") (citation omitted). "entrust" question; ownership. think threat individual buying husband—or marrying —if knows wrongfully. 62 liability, difficulty proving disproving thereof, wrongdoer. (1926)). Whatever patently collude reinforces nature dereliction wholly legitimate transporting himself job. affirmatively responsible gave rise seizure. victim arbitrary law.14 III 64 today odds States. "payment offense"—as undeniably —it Clause. discussed, half-interest "excessive" work, modest proportion blameworthiness; assessment once driver's seat, plainly excessive. violates yet reason. Under reasoning, irrelevant. brand-new ten-year-old equally forfeitable. "dramatic variations" conveyances undercut tied ends. 2811-2812; Ward, 448 242, 254, 100 2636, 2644, 742 (1980). errs unlimited implying misguided. presented insisted come pass. "When made," arrived forfeits woman's secretly misdemeanor inside prepared draw bright separate permissible convinced blatant unfairness places unconstitutional side line. 66 respectfully dissent. 67 vessels long, well-recognized tradition, evolving finding source compensation injuries half world away reach processes. 233, (1844); Republic Nat. Bank Miami 87-88, 554, 558-559, 121 474 (1992). prospect deriving prompt impracticality adjudicating good-faith efforts diligent trustworthy master, combined eliminate defense. 233. realities better earlier, mechanistic rationales. 680-681, 2090-2091, (1974) (discussing deodands). trade-off, course, absolute limited amount (or) cargo. reason, inaccurate, supported, say personal rationale. 2812-2813, judgment); 2815-2816 (KENNEDY, STEVENS observes, tradition unequivocal instances seizable William Bagaley, Wall. 377, 410-411, 583 (1867) English interest). every analogous instance extending modern life many strong complicity out, goes sustain suppress traffic sort. meet requirements Nothing indicates turned petitioner, suggestion co-ownership insignificant beneath law's protection. reasons, respect, syllabus Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Lumber 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. Laws 750.338b (1991). Section states pertinent part: "Any building, boat, aircraft, lewdness, assignation prostitution gambling, by, kept disorderly persons, nuisances enjoined rules. Any servant, agent, employee owns, leases, conducts, maintains set forth nuisance." (Supp.1995). 600.3825 "(1) Order existenc e chapter, entered direct furniture, fixtures contents therein thereof execution. "(2) Vehicles, sale. aircraft within meaning herein provided. "(3) Sale personalty, liens, balance treasurer. Upon fixture, contents, boat section, executing shall, deducting expenses keeping sale, pay priorities ., treasurer credited general fund state. ." (1987). "Proof existence defendants them, required." 600.3815(2) 2809, observed Goldsmith "expressly [guilty-property] observation quite mistaken. "as extended privity (emphases words, drew very case: consent," "although consented [another person's] use, vehicle] co-owned issue, situation. dissent, __-__, (1808), seeks enlarge reservation 'a employed.' dealing proposition: "If, theft, open robbery, [an owner's] invaded, understood Peisch, 364. Const., Amdt. if, stating referring mind statement, enforcement 600.3825(3) (costs deducted). believed consume included related proceeding, still potential breadth breathtaking indeed. estimated bill circulation—some $230 billion worth —carries trace cocaine, great trade's appetite cash. Range Witkin, Drug-Money Hunt, News World Report, Aug. 21, 1989, 22; Heilbroner, Goes Treasure N.Y. Times, Dec. 11, 1994, 70, col. 1. Needless say, catastrophic effects nation's economy. (1827); occasionally names, including "Malek Adhel," O. Holmes, Common 27, 82 (M. Ho ed.1963), "United Brig Malek Tryphenia Harrison, F. Cas. 252 (CC Pa. 1806) (Washington, J.). 145-148, 505-507, (collecting cases); How., 233-234. commits aggression instrument attaches, reference whatsoever (says Congress) piratical aggression, etc., attempted condemned. new provision course acting nations, wrong regard thereof. suppressing wrong, insuring indemnity injured party. familiarly laws; kindred embargo non-intercourse crew, sort, Ibid. Law, 27. (1926) (transportation); (same); General Motors Acceptance 286 49, 468, 76 971 (1932) (importation); Commercial Credit 63, 467, 978 (same). questions drugs, Douglas' 'so know' assertion, appear stipulated Commonwealth Puerto Rico "convey, transfer" narcotic drug. O.T.1973, 73-157, advanced exhibited ongoing "nuisance condition" reputation contributed "condition." 734, 491 constitute itself; character. 745, 496 (Cavanagh, bizarre endorsed court, offense, render Detroit, affluent Palmer Woods 22, 491, construction confirms irrelevance mobility forfeiture; place—a shed, apartment —could advantage movement, picking up continuing drive, presumably all. held, furthermore, solely purpose, explained punishment, understand term." 1902, (1989) September year, episodes pr eceding summer. 8; 728, wrecked Delaware Bay unladen off salvors. several grounds, duties importation, tax collector assessment. tha t unable comply deserted landing, port. Cranch, 363. quoted out. suffer salvors, control. "punished" "by part. jurisprudence. 2808-2809; (1974); 191; Ford Coupe Automobile, 333, 154, 158, (1926); principles arose facts, identical. 5. Marshall's each independently, other. majority's attempt analogize tort accidents unpersuasive. Tort (punitive damages notable exception), concededly fundamental difference regimes established. punishes man criminally act, frequently pocket, another. wife offence, penalties; obtains felonious, make amends." 207 Phila.Cty.1787). converse, well. GINSBURG rebuked prostitution, refutes accomplished sacrificing person. concession co-owner's interest. assertion "stands statute," ibid., hollow ring mention relevance discretion." flatly "Mrs. Bennis' consequence." 741, 494. Third, diminished value. difficult, credit awarded larger, remaining go coffers. 28. "Johns blight," added), owned spouse.

Category: 3