Court Opinion

ID: 4229892
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-18 22:34:39.737101+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:16:13.659541
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                      DIVISION ONE

THE CITY OF SEATTLE, a municipal        )       No. 76435-7-1
corporation, and THE SEATTLE            )
POLICE DEPARTMENT,                      )
                                        )
                    Respondents,        )                                    c=.1
                                        )
          v.                            )                                     çfl
                                        )
2009 CADILLAC CTS, WA License           )                                       CO
ASU1242 and $1,741.86 in U.S.           )
Currency, and Four Tires and Four       )
Rims,                                   )                                           CR
                                        )
               Defendants In Rem,       )
                                        )       UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                        )
JOHNNY WHITE, Claimant,                 )       FILED: December 18, 2017
                                        )
                    Appellant.          )
                                        )

      VERELLEN, C.J. — Johnny White seeks return of property seized under
RCW 69.50.505, arguing the forfeiture hearing was untimely. Our Supreme Court

construes the forfeiture statute to require a hearing within 90 days. The

Administrative Procedure Act(APA)governs forfeiture hearings.' Consistent with

the APA,the 90-day clock starts upon claim of ownership. And a notice of hearing

commences the hearing proceeding. Because White received notice of the

        Ch. 34.05 RCW.
No. 76435-7-1-2

hearing within 90 days of his claim of ownership, the hearing complied with the

statutory requirements. Additionally, White failed to show he suffered from any

prejudice because of the timing of the hearing, 105 days after the seizure.

      White also contests the sufficiency of the notices of seizure and intended

forfeiture. He did not raise this issue before the hearing examiner. Because White

has failed to show actual prejudice, this was not a manifest error affecting a

constitutional right. We decline to consider this unpreserved claim of error.

       White requests fees on appeal relying solely on RAP 18.1. His brief

contains no argument and no citation to authority other than RAP 18.1. White

does not qualify for fees on appeal.

       Therefore, we affirm with no award of fees.

                                       FACTS

       The Seattle Police Department(SPD)seized a 2009 Cadillac CTS,four

wheels and tires, and cash from Johnny White on February 17, 2015. On the

same day, SPD mailed White a notice of seizure and intended forfeiture for the

car, the wheels, and the tires. On February 19, 2015, SPD mailed White another

notice of seizure and intended forfeiture for the cash. On March 12, 2015, White

sent a letter to SPD claiming ownership of the seized items. On April 15, 2015,

SPD sent White a notice of hearing set for June 2, 2015.

       At the hearing, White moved to dismiss the forfeiture proceeding, arguing

the hearing was untimely. The hearing examiner denied White's motion and

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No. 76435-7-1-3

granted forfeiture.2 White sought review by the superior court. For the first time,

he argued the notices of seizure and intended forfeiture were defective. The

superior court affirmed the hearing examiner. White sought direct review from the

Supreme Court. The Supreme Court denied that request and transferred the

appeal to this court.

                                     ANALYSIS

                                    I. Timeliness

       White assigns error to the hearing examiner's conclusion that the hearing

was timely.

       This panel reviews conclusions of law de novo.3 There are two aspects of

due process analysis in the context of a challenge to the timeliness of forfeiture

adjudicative proceedings. First, compliance with the provisions of the forfeiture

statute generally satisfies due process standards. But if there is some additional

claim of improper delay unrelated to the 90-day hearing deadline, we conduct a

second level due process balancing test.4

       2 "The  Hearing Examiner concludes that the first day of the ninety day time
period by which a forfeiture hearing must commence is the date a claim is made.
Mr. White made a claim on March 12, 2015. The forfeiture hearing was held on
June 2, 2015. The hearing commenced within the ninety day time period. The
Hearing Examiner concludes that the hearing was timely." Clerk's Papers(CP)at
25 (Conclusion of Law 3).
       3 Escamilla v. Tr -City Metro Drug Task Force, 100 Wash. App. 742, 747, 999
P.2d 625(2000), abrogated on other grounds by In re Forfeiture of One 1970
Chevrolet Chevelle, 166 Wash. 2d 834, 215 P.3d 166 (2009).
       4 In re Forfeiture of One 1988 Black Chevrolet Corvette, 91 Wash. App. 320,
324-25, 963 P.2d 187(1997).

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No. 76435-7-1-4

       The forfeiture statute provides that law enforcement may seize property

when probable cause exists to believe that the property is intended to be used for

illegal drug activity or represents proceeds of illegal drug sales.8 Within 15 days of

the seizure, the seizing agency must provide notice to any interested persons of

the seizure and intended forfeiture.8 If a person claims ownership of or an interest

in personal property within 45 days of the service of such notice, "the person or

persons shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or

right."7

       Our Supreme Court clarified the forfeiture statute, specifically, the due

process requirement of a "reasonable opportunity to be heard," in two cases

involving the same piece of real property, Tellevik v. 31641 West Rutherford Street

(Tellevik 1 and Tellevik 11).8

           In Tellevik 1, our Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of the

forfeiture statute. The Supreme Court's initial opinion found "the statute requires a

full adversarial hearing with judicial review within 90 days of the seizure of real

property if the claimant notifies the seizing agency in writing."8 The opinion was

       5 RCW 69.50.505.

       6 RCW 69.50.505(3).

       7 RCW 69.50.505(5)(emphasis added).

       8 Televik1, 120 Wash. 2d 68, 838 P.2d 111,845 P.2d 1325(1993); Tellevik II,
125 Wash. 2d 364, 884 P.2d 1319(1994).
      9 Tellevik I, 845 P.2d 1325(emphasis added).

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No. 76435-7-1-5

later amended to strike "of the seizure of real property," and add a citation to the

APA.1°

       In Tellevik 11, the court concluded "the 90-day hearing requirement

articulated in Tellevik I is not dicta, but is, instead, central to its holding?" And

subsequent cases have clarified that the 90-day requirement also applies to

personal property.12

       While Tellevik and its progeny clearly require a 90-day hearing, this leaves

unanswered what action the city must take to satisfy the requirement and what

event starts the clock.

       As to the first question, RCW 69.50.505(5) provides forfeiture hearings are

governed by the APA. Application of the APA to forfeiture proceedings is also

supported by our Supreme Court's amendment in Tellevik Ito add a citation to the

APA.13 Pursuant to the APA,"[a]n adjudicative proceeding commences when the

agency or a presiding officer notifies a party that a prehearing conference, hearing,

or other stage of an adjudicative proceeding will be conducted."14 Because the

requirement for a hearing within 90 days is grounded in application of the APA, it is

clear that the hearing is commenced when notice of hearing is given, i.e., the

       1° Id.
       11 Tellevik 11, 125 Wash. 2d at 372.
       12 Espinoza v. City of Everett, 87 Wash. App. 857, 869, 943 P.2d 387 (1997).

       13 Tellevik   1, 845 P.2d 1325.
       14   RCW 34.05.413(5).

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No. 76435-7-1-6

seizing agency satisfies the 90-day requirement when it "notifies a claimant that

some stage of the hearing will be conducted."15

       White acknowledged at oral argument he is seeking to overturn this

precedent, but he provides no compelling authority. His assertion that the city may

evade due process by promising but never conducting a full adjudicative hearing is

not persuasive because that is not the case here. Additionally, that kind of delay

would be addressed by the second level due process balancing test.

       As to what event starts the clock, White contends the 90-day requirement

starts when the property is seized. The city argues the triggering event is the

claim of ownership.

       Although RCW 69.50.505(3) states "proceedings for forfeiture shall be

deemed commenced by the seizure,"16 there is no indication that the right to a

hearing within 90 days also commences on that date. The 90-day requirement

controls the due process timeliness requirements for the hearing process; it does

not apply to proceedings for forfeiture as a whole. In fact, forfeiture proceedings

under RCW 69.50.505 do not necessarily include a hearing. A hearing is only

required if a claimant contests the intended forfeiture.17

       15 Escamilla, 100 Wash. App. at 749 (citing Black Corvette, 91 Wash. App. at
323); see also Valerio v. Lacey Police Dep't, 110 Wash. App. 163, 172, 39 P.3d 332
(2002); Sam v. Okanogan County Sheriffs Office, 136 Wash. App. 220, 227, 148
P.3d 1086 (2006).
       16 (Emphasis added.)

       17   RCW 69.50.505(5).

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No. 76435-7-1-7

       The case law on the forfeiture statute fails to clearly answer whether the 90-

day requirement is triggered by seizure or claim of ownership.18 Given the well-

established application of the APA to forfeiture proceedings, we turn to the APA for

guidance. The APA explicitly provides that "[a]fter receipt of an application for an

adjudicative proceeding ... within ninety days after receipt of the application. . .

the agency shall... iclommence an adjudicative proceeding in accordance with

this chapter?" In the context of forfeiture, because the claimant's notice of claim

of ownership serves as the "application," the claim of ownership triggers the right

to a forfeiture hearing and starts the 90-day clock.20

       Here, the city satisfied the 90-day requirement when it commenced the

adjudicative proceeding by notifying White of the hearing scheduled for June 2,

2015. The property was seized on February 17, 2015, and White claimed

ownership on March 12, 2015. He received notice of the hearing on April 15,

       18 See Tellevik II, 125 Wn.2d at 374(Madsen, J., dissenting)("The question
presented in this case is whether the State complied with the due process
requirement in Tellevik that an opportunity for a full adversarial hearing be
provided within 90 days of the seizure of real property.")(emphasis added);
Espinoza, 87 Wash. App. at 865-66 (characterizing Tellevik cases as holding due
process entitles claimants of personal property "to a full adversarial hearing within
90 days of the seizure")(emphasis added); Bruett v. 18328 11th Ave. N.E., 93 Wn.
App. 290, 298, 968 P.2d 913(1998)(citing Tellevik cases for the premise that "due
process entitles a claimant of real property to a full adversarial hearing within 90
days of the seizure")(emphasis added); Escamilla, 100 Wash. App. at 749
("proceedings must be commenced within 90 days ofthe date a claimant notifies
the seizing agency of a claim of ownership or a right to possession of the seized
property")(emphasis added).
       18 RCW 34.05.419(1)(b)(emphasis added).

       28   Black Corvette, 91 Wash. App. at 323.

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No. 76435-7-1-8

2015, 57 days after the seizure and 34 days after his claim of ownership. The

forfeiture hearing was commenced within 90 days, whether or not the triggering

event was the seizure or White's claim of ownership. We conclude the forfeiture

hearing was timely under the statutory scheme and subsequent case law.

       Under the second level due process balancing test, compliance with the

provisions of the forfeiture statute, i.e., commencement of adjudicative

proceedings within 90 days of the claim of ownership, has been found to meet the

requisites of due process.21 But due process is flexible, and particular

circumstances may impact the timing of a hearing.22 For example, this court has

acknowledged other fact patterns might compel more timely proceedings despite

compliance with statutory requirements.23 When analyzing a claim for more timely

proceedings under due process, we consider "(1)[t]he length of the delay;(2) the

reason for the delay;(3)the claimant's assertion of his right to a hearing; and (4)

whether the claimant suffered any prejudice."24

      21    See id. at 324.
      22  United States v. Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($8,850)
in United States Currency, 461 U.S. 555, 562, 103 S. Ct. 2005, 76 L. Ed. 2d 143
(1983)("there is no obvious bright line dictating when a post-seizure hearing must
occur").
       23 Black Corvette, 91 Wash. App. at 325 ("On the facts of this case, the
statutory procedures provided the requisite due process. But, this is not to say
that other fact patterns might not give rise to a valid claim for more timely
proceedings, or that the mere scheduling of a prehearing conference will
indefinitely toll a claimant's right to a timely hearing.").
       24   Id. at 324.

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No. 76435-7-1-9

       Here, the length of the delay, if any, was minimal because the hearing

occurred within 105 days of seizure.25 White did not assert any need for an earlier

hearing.26 And he has not shown the timing hampered his defense in any way.27

In fact, White did not present any defense before the hearing examiner, he

contested only the timeliness of the hearing.28

       We conclude White did not establish any prejudice which would require a

more timely hearing under the due process balancing test.

                              II. Adequacy of Notice

       White also argues the notices of seizure and intended forfeiture were

defective because they did not inform him of his right to remove to superior court.

Even though White did not raise this issue before the hearing examiner, the

superior court considered this issue.

      25   Even if the triggering date for the 90-day requirement was the seizure on
February 19, 2015, the hearing occurred 105 days later, on June 2, 2015. This
would amount to a delay of 15 days.
       26 See Escamilla, 100 Wash. App. at 750 (following two-year delay attributable
to the claimants, Division Three of this court held as to prejudice: "[The claimants]
did not assert any need for an earlier hearing or specify any prejudice from the
minimal delay.").
       27 See Black Corvette, 91 Wash. App. at 324-25 ("Here, the length of the
delay, if any, was short, as the hearing began within 78 days of the request for
hearing and concluded within 111 days. . . .[The claimant] has not shown
prejudice to his case. The delay did not hamper his defense in any way.").
       28 CP at 24 ("3. The claimant did not contest the facts of the underlying
criminal case, and the claimant presented no evidence regarding the facts of the
underlying criminal case. 4. The claimant did not contest the lawfulness of the
seizure of the defendant in rem property. 5. The claimant contested only the
timeliness of the hearing.").

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No. 76435-7-1-10

      "We review administrative decisions directly, based on the record before the

administrative agency."29 And we may decline to review any claim of error which

was not raised before the hearing examiner.39 But we may consider a "manifest

error affecting a constitutional right" for the first time on appea1.31 "Manifest' in

RAP 2.5(a)(3) requires a showing of actual prejudice."32

       Here, White appears to concede the issue is not preserved because he

seeks review under the manifest error exception of RAP 2.5(a)(3). White claims

he was prejudiced by the lack of notice to remove to superior court because the

hearing examiner was not a "neutral and detached magistrate."33 But because the

superior court granted review, White received an opportunity to be heard by that

court on the timeliness issue and therefore, he cannot establish the actual

prejudice required for manifest error. We decline to consider this unpreserved

claim of error.

                                  III. Fees on Appeal

       White requests fees on appeal under RAP 18.1. The rule requires more

than a bald request for attorney fees on appeal; the party must include argument

       29 AlpineLakes Prot. Soc'y v. Washington State Dep't of Natural Res., 102
Wash. App. 1, 14, 979 P.2d 929 (1999).
       30   RAP 2.5(a).
       31   RAP 2.5(a)(3).
       32 State   v. O'Hara, 167 Wash. 2d 91, 99, 217 P.3d 756 (2009).
       33   Reply Br. of App. at 6.

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No. 76435-7-1-11

and citation to authority.34 Here, White addressed attorney fees in a single

sentence in his opening brief. White did not prevail, and he failed to comply with

RAP 18.1. We deny his request for attorney fees on appeal.

       Therefore, we affirm.

WE CONCUR:

       34   RAP 18.1(b); Stiles v. Kearney, 168 Wash. App. 250, 267, 277 P.3d 9
(2012).

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