HILLBERT v. State

MOORE, Judge.

Natalie Hillbert appeals from a judgment ordering the forfeiture of two cashier’s checks in the amount of $9,900 each and a money order in the amount of $200 (“the instruments”). We reverse and remand.

Procedural History

On July 27, 2009, Douglas Albert Vales-ka, district attorney of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, filed a forfeiture action on behalf of the State of Alabama against Natalie Hillbert, Carlos Cortez a/k/a Luis Hernandez-Arrelleno (“Cortez”), and the instruments. The State attached to the complaint copies of the instruments. On August 14, 2009, Hillbert answered…