Murphree v. State

OPINION

HEDGES, Justice.

Appellant Doyle Murphree appeals a judgment of forfeiture under the Motor Vehicle Salvage Dealers Act. We must interpret the burden of proof required under the forfeiture provisions of that statute. Did the State’s proof that appellant failed to maintain statutorily required records on the origin of component car parts suffice? Or did the State have the greater burden to show that the seized items had actually been stolen or altered? We affirm in part and reverse and render in part.

*194At the time his property was seized, appellant was doing business as D & B Auto Resales,…