In Re Forfeiture of 30800 Grandview
In Re Forfeiture of 30800 Grandview
Opinion of the Court
The prosecutor appeals from the trial court’s dismissal of a petition for forfeiture of real and personal property pursuant to MCL 333.7521(1); MSA 14.15(7521)(1). We now reverse that dismissal.
In March of 1987, police found around one-half gram of cocaine and slightly less than two pounds of marijuana in a house located at 30800 Grand-view in Westland, Michigan. Police also found an elaborate setup for cultivating marijuana in the house, including a large growing area, materials,
i
The first issue we address is the prosecutor’s argument that a house may be forfeitable pursuant to § 7521(l)(f) as a "thing of value . . . used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of’ the controlled substances act. The prosecutor argues that the trial court used an erroneous interpretation of § 7521(l)(f) to conclude that it did not apply to real property. The prosecutor has been prescient in this regard. We must reverse the trial court’s dismissal of the prosecutor’s petition.
Until recently there had been a conflict of opinion in this Court regarding whether real property could be subject to forfeiture pursuant to § 7521(l)(f) as a "thing of value used or intended to be used to facilitate a violation.”
ii
The prosecutor also argues that respondents’ house was forfeitable pursuant to § 7521(l)(c) as a "container” of controlled substances or materials used for manufacturing controlled substances. We disagree.
There is currently a conflict of opinion in this Court regarding the interpretation of § 7521(l)(c). At least one panel of this Court has held that whether a house is a "container” under subsection (c) is a question of fact for the court presiding over the forfeiture proceeding. In re Forfeiture of 45649 Maben Road, 173 Mich App 764, 768-769; 434 NW2d 238 (1988). However, other panels have held as a matter of law that the term "container,” as used in subsection (c), does not encompass houses, buildings, or other real property. 2850 Ewing Road, supra, p 269; People v 8120 Ravine Road, Alamo Twp, 151 Mich App 358, 360-362; 390 NW2d 242 (1986). We find the latter interpretation persuasive. Forfeitures are not favored at law. 8120 Ravine Road, supra, p 362. Therefore, statutes providing for forfeitures are to be strictly construed, and the case must be brought clearly within the terms of the statute before forfeiture is allowed. Id. Since the word "container,” as nor
Affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
See People v 2850 Ewing Road, 161 Mich App 266; 409 NW2d 800 (1987), lv den 429 Mich 884 (1987), and In re Forfeiture of 719 N Main, 175 Mich App 107; 437 NW2d 332 (1989).
Concurring in Part
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). I agree that this case must be reversed in light of our Supreme Court’s interpretation of MCL 333.7521(1X0; MSA 14.15(7521X1X0 in In re Forfeiture of $5,264, 432 Mich 242; 439 NW2d 246 (1989). However, given the rationale in that opinion, I also believe that a house may be forfeited pursuant to MCL 333.7521(1)(c); MSA 14.15(7521)(1)(c) as a container. See In re Forfeiture of 45649 Maben Road, 173 Mich App 764, 766-769; 434 NW2d 238 (1988). See also In re Forfeiture of 719 N Main, 175 Mich App 107, 115, 117; 437 NW2d 332 (1989), and Smith v Mount, 45 Wash App 623; 726 P2d 474 (1986). But see People v 2850 Ewing Road, 161 Mich App 266; 409 NW2d 800 (1987), lv den 429 Mich 884 (1987); People v 8120 Ravine Road, Alamo Twp, 151 Mich App 358; 390 NW2d 242 (1986). Hence, I would totally reverse the circuit court’s order granting respondents’ motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In Re FORFEITURE OF 30800 GRANDVIEW
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published