State v. $144,320.00 U.S. Currency

GENOVESE, Judge.

| /file State of Louisiana (the State) appeals the trial court’s finding that Tina Beers was not properly served and/or given notice of forfeiture proceedings resulting from the seizure of $144,320.00 from a vehicle operated by Tina Beers on January 10, 2009. Tina Beers and Brittany Beers, who also claim an ownership interest in the money that was seized, answered the appeal. For the following reasons, we reverse and remand.

FACTS

On January 10, 2009, Trooper Troy Du-puis of the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle driven by Tina Beers for a traffic violation in St. Martin…