Austin v. United States, was a Supreme Court Case involving civil forfeiture and the Eighth Amendment.
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Background
Richard Lyle Austin was indicted for violating South Dakota's drug laws. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession cocaine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to seven years in jail. The United States then filed an in rem action, seeking forfeiture of Austin's mobile home and auto body shop under federal statutes that provide for forfeiture of property that is used or intended for use to facilitate the transportation of controlled substances, or related materials. Austin argued that forfeiture of his property would violate the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause.
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Opinion of the Court
Justice Harry Blackmun delivered the majority opinion for the court.
Justice Scalia filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment, writing that the majority should not have decided whether in rem forfeitures always amount to a punishment of the owner.
Justice Kennedy also filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment which was joined by Justices Rehnquist and Thomas.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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