People v. One 1951 Ford Sedan

This appeal presents the following question : Can the state forfeit the interest of an owner of an automobile where the owner rents the automobile to a bailee, who, in turn, entrusts it to a malefactor, who uses the car, illegally, and contrary to the terms of the rental agreement, to transport narcotics 1 The trial court answered this question in the affirmative and forfeited the interest of the registered and legal owner, who is the intervener. The intervener appeals.

The appeal comes to us on a settled statement. In addition, the trial court wrote a memorandum opinion that is included in…