State v. $77,014.00 (Hui Suk Perez)

DECUIR, Judge.

At issue in this appeal is whether a party whose currency has been seized by a judgment of forfeiture under La.R.S. 40:2601 et seq., is entitled to legal interest on that *1379money when the forfeiture is overturned on appeal. The trial court refused to award legal interest. We affirm.

FACTS

On January 2, 1990, agents with the Louisiana State Police seized $76,914 in U.S. currency from appellant, Huí Suk Perez. The State of Louisiana subsequently filed a forfeiture petition and, after trial, obtained a judgment of forfeiture.

Because of how the currency was packaged and the manner in…