Court Opinion

ID: 9744469
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 22:03:43.172378+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:49.355265
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE BILANDIC, specially concurring: I agree with the majority that the circuit court erred in striking Mena’s answer and that the entry of a default judgment of forfeiture must therefore be reversed. However, I do not agree with the majority’s reasoning in reaching that conclusion. Specifically, I disagree with the majority’s assertion that the claimant in a forfeiture action has no obligation to plead his or her standing to contest the forfeiture. I believe that the approach to the standing issue espoused in Chief Justice Freeman’s dissent is correct. I also disagree with the reasoning employed by the majority in resolving the fifth amendment issue, and I would adhere to the analysis on this issue provided by Chief Justice Freeman’s dissent. With regard to the sufficiency of the State’s complaint, I agree with the majority that the State’s complaint fails to state a claim for forfeiture. I also agree with the majority that the State should be given the opportunity on remand to amend its complaint.