United States v. 1990 Toyota 4Runner

For better or for worse, it has become increasingly difficult to impose any principled constraints on the exercise of forfeiture powers under the drug laws. But see United States v. 92 Buena Vista Avenue, — U.S. —, 113 S.Ct. 1126, 122 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993) (innocent owner defense available to purchaser of house who was given the purchase money as a gift, not knowing that the proceeds derived from narcotics trafficking); Austin v. United States, — U.S.—, 113 S.Ct. 2801, 125 L.Ed.2d 488 (1993) (Eighth Amendment’s excessive fines clause applies to drug forfeitures). My guess is that Congress, in…