Court Opinion

ID: 9418578
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 22:32:31.494853+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:22:06.292396
License: Public Domain

*567Mr. Justice Butler,
concurring.
I agree that the answer to question 5 should be in the affirmative.
In the opinion it is said, “ Construing the fifth question as referring to the prosecution with effect, we answer the question in the affirmative.” This means prosecution and conviction of the driver constitute an election to proceed against the vehicle under § 26 and prevents forfeiture under § 3450. The answer is enough to guide the Circuit Court of Appeals in this case. But it leaves open the question which is not decided in' United States v. Ford Coupé, ante, p. 321. The substance of that question is whether the prohibition officer discovering one in the act of transportation may-disregard the plain and direct commands of § 26 to proceed against the vehicle as there directed. I think he has no more right to ignore that command than he has to let the liquor and offender go. The law makes the election. I regret that this Court’s answer is so qualified and restricted. Section 26 is not so restrained.
I am authorized to say that Mr. Justice Stone concurs in this opinion.