Court Opinion

ID: 9847030
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:52:29.15745+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:59.235017
License: Public Domain

Sears, Justice,
concurring.
The only question raised by this appeal is whether the in rem civil forfeiture action constituted “punishment” for purposes of the Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States Constitution. I am bound to follow the principles set forth in United States v. Ursery,3 in deciding the issue, and I agree with the majority that Ursery controls this issue adversely to Murphy. I write to emphasize that this case raises no issue regarding the Double Jeopardy Clause of our State Constitution.4
*122David S. West, Bruce S. Harvey, for appellant.
Daniel J. Porter, District Attorney, Thomas W. Hayes, Assistant District Attorney, Gary D. Bergman, Aimee R. Maxwell, Davis, Zipperman, Kirschenbaum & Lotito, Nicholas A. Lotito, Garland, Samuel & Loeb, Donald F. Samuel, for appellee.

 518 U. S. _ (116 SC 2135, 135 LE2d 549) (1996).

 See Art. I, Sec. I, Par. XVIII of the 1983 Georgia Constitution.