Farmer v. Florence County Sheriff's Office

We granted certiorari to review a Court of Appeals’ opinion which construed a counterfeit goods statute1 in the context of an owner’s (respondent’s) suit to have the seized goods returned. Farmer v. Florence Cty. Sheriffs Office, 390 S.C. 358, 701 S.E.2d 48 (Ct.App.2010). We now vacate that opinion, and hold the circuit court erred in failing to dismiss respondent’s suit.

*609FACTS

Respondent operated a retail store in Florence County. On August 30, 2007, Florence County Sheriffs Office (petitioner) executed a search warrant and seized the store’s inventory, consisting of clothing, shoes, movie…