People v. $17,522.08 UNITED STATES CURRENCY

Opinion

BAMATTRE-MANOUKIAN, Acting P. J.

In this civil forfeiture proceeding under Health and Safety Code section 11469 et seq., 1 we consider whether a claimant must be expressly informed of and expressly waive on the record his or her constitutional and statutory right to a jury trial. Appellant Estella Pierce, who represented herself throughout the forfeiture proceedings at issue in this case, contends that the judgment of forfeiture must be reversed as the record is silent as to whether she knowingly waived her right to a jury trial or gave informed consent to a court trial. Appellant also…