People v. $2,709 United States Currency

Opinion

HOFFSTADT, J.

The People may initiate a civil proceeding to forfeit seized cash or its equivalent connected to drug trafficking. (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 11488.4, subd. (a), 11470, subd. (f).) When the amount to be forfeited is less than $25,000 in value, the property’s owner must be convicted of a drug crime and “the issue of forfeiture shall be tried in conjunction” with the related criminal case. (§ 11488.4, subd. (i)(5); see id., subd. (i)(2), (3).) Does the rule requiring simultaneous trial apply when the defendant enters a plea to the criminal charges? We conclude it does not, and…