State, Florida Highway Patrol v. Forfeiture of Twenty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred & Eighty (29,980.00) in U.S. Currency

The Florida Highway Patrol (“FHP”) appeals the trial court’s ruling that James Chancelor has standing to challenge the forfeiture of $29,980.00, as well as the trial court’s granting of summary judgment in favor of Chancelor. We affirm the trial court’s finding that Chancelor has standing, but reverse the granting of summary judgment.

At a full evidentiary hearing to determine Chancelor’s standing as a claimant, the trial court heard testimony from Chancelor and his three witnesses concerning the source of the currency. The trial court found the witnesses to be credible and determined that…