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Supreme Court to Hear Double Jeopardy Forfeiture Cases

IN THE COURTS

February 1996

On January 12, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will decide whether criminal proceedings should be prohibited after a defendant has been subject to a civil forfeiture (Frank J. Murray, "Supreme Court Accepts Drug Forfeiture Cases," Washington Times, January 13, 1996, p. 1).

The Court announced it had granted cert in three cases:

"405" and Ursery have been consolidated, and arguments in all three cases should be held in April, with a decision expected by June. Earlier in the session, the Court heard arguments on the "innocent owner" defense to forfeiture (see "Supreme Court Rules on Gun 'Use' During Drug Offense, Hears Arguments in Sentencing, Forfeiture Issues," NewsBriefs, January 1996).