In Re Maynard's Petition

333 Mich. 543 (1952)

53 N.W.2d 370

In re MAYNARD'S PETITION.

Docket No. 53, Calendar No. 45,144.

Supreme Court of Michigan.

Decided May 16, 1952.

Roger O. McMahon, Prosecuting Attorney, and Henry J. Milanowski, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

BUTZEL, J.

Earl T. Maynard, herein referred to as plaintiff, asserting ownership in certain vending machines and their contents, filed a petition in the superior court for the city of Grand Rapids for the recovery of 3 machines: 2 for vending cigarettes, and the other for vending candy, and their contents when seized. They had been placed by plaintiff's agents and subsequently seized by the police in 2 *545 separate establishments, the proprietors of which had violated the liquor laws. The latter were duly convicted and sentenced in the superior court for the city of Grand Rapids and the petitioner thereafter sought recovery of the property from the prosecuting attorney, herein called the defendant. The seizure in one establishment took place on or about November 7, 1949, and the other on or about December 5, 1949. The petition for the return of the property was not filed until February 15, 1950. In the opinion of the trial judge filed December 14, 1950, it was held that plaintiff was entitled to the return of the property. The order does not appear in the record. Defendant has appealed.

In the statement of questions involved set forth by defendant in his brief, no question is raised in regard to the jurisdiction of the court or the propriety of the proceedings. Defendant, however, contends that the court erred in directing the return of the property. Search warrants preceded the seizures. The complaint in each instance was for the illicit sale of liquor, in one case contrary to section 32 (CL 1948, § 436.32 [Stat Ann § 18.1003]), and the other case section 44 (CL 1948, § 436.44 [Stat Ann § 18.1015]), PA 1933 (Ex Sess), No 8. The search warrant was issued presumably under section 42 (CL 1948, § 436.42 [Stat Ann § 18.1013]) of the same act which provides for the seizure of all alcoholic liquors, containers, implements or conveyances by direct order of the court or magistrate, such to be turned over to the commission, et cetera. The court held that the search warrant was issued under the provisions of section 42, supra, and that the vending machines did not constitute alcoholic liquors, containers, implements or conveyances, the only articles covered by the act. He held that a vending machine for the sale of legitimate merchandise was not an implement within the meaning of *546 the act and, therefore, could not be legally seized and should be returned. Defendant contends, however, that the trial court should have applied CL 1948, § 692.251 et seq. (Stat Ann § 18.901 et seq.), "padlock law," on the theory that defendant had the power to ask the court to declare such vending machines a nuisance and ask for its abatement. This law is invoked by a bill in chancery. None was brought although there was more than a reasonable length of time in which to bring it.

The trial judge stated that the presence of these machines may add to the convenience of the customers in purchasing candy or cigarettes but cartainly did not contribute to the violation of the liquor law, neither were they implements in the hands of the unlawful operators to further the sale of liquor. We find no authority in People, ex rel. Wayne Prosecuting Attorney, v. Sill, 310 Mich 570, nor State, ex rel. Wayne Prosecuting Attorney, v. Martin, 314 Mich 317, to sustain the proposition that a vending machine owned by a third party who has in no way contributed to the violation should be confiscated under the authority of CL 1948, § 692.251 (Stat Ann § 18.901). Defendant contends:

"In the case at bar, a cigarette vending machine is a necessary tool and machine used in the operation of an illegal gambling place, or an illegal place where liquor is sold or kept for sale on the premises without a license,"

but no logical reason is given for this conclusion. Cigarettes and candy are readily obtainable in legal establishments in any locality. Their presence does not make them implements that have any relation to the illegal sale of liquor.

*547 The petition of plaintiff was properly granted and the order to return the machines to plaintiff is affirmed, without costs.

NORTH, C.J., and DETHMERS, CARR, BUSHNELL, SHARPE, BOYLES, and REID, JJ., concurred.