Griffin v. State

Mikell, Judge.

In this civil forfeiture action, James Willis Griffin III and James Willis Griffin IV (the “claimants”) appeal the trial court’s judgment ordering that the seized property at issue, a vehicle and $14,056.30 in U. S. currency, be forfeited to the state. The claimants contend that the court erred in denying their motion to dismiss because the state failed to conduct a timely hearing and because service of process was legally deficient. We agree that the hearing was untimely and reverse the court’s judgment.

The property at issue was seized by the Atlanta Police Department on…