People v. One 1953 Buick 2-Door

The State appeals from a judgment releasing a 1953 Buick automobile to Commercial Credit Corporation, the legal owner, pursuant to its lien asserted in a forfeiture proceeding brought by the State. (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 11610-11629.)

The statutes authorizing the State to institute forfeiture proceedings relative to a vehicle used to unlawfully transport narcotics were materially revised by the Legislature at its 1959 session. (Stats. 1959, ch. 2085, p. 4816.) These enactments became effective after the date of the seizure of the subject automobile but before the present forfeiture proceed…