Number: 96-869 Title: CRIME AND FORFEITURE: THE INNOCENT THIRD PARTY Authors: Paul S. Wallace, Jr., American Law Division Abstract: Forfeiture has survived through time in American law, and since 1984, the use of forfeiture statutes to divest felons of their spoils has increased substantially. This report reviews the case law which raises the issue concerning many relative to whether some civil forfeiture proceedings constitute punishment which may violate the Eighth Amendment's excessive fines clause. Pages: 17 Date: Updated June 29, 1999