Bennis v. Michigan

516 U.S. 442 (1996)

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Bennis v. Michigan

United States Supreme Court
516 U.S. 442 (1996)

SC

Facts

Mr. Bennis was arrested for engaging in a sexual act with a prostitute in a car that he co-owned with his wife, Mrs. Bennis (defendant). The State of Michigan (plaintiff) sued the Bennises to have the car declared a public nuisance and confiscated under Michigan law. Mrs. Bennis claimed that she had no knowledge of Mr. Bennis’s activities in the car so her ownership interest in the car should not be taken. The Wayne County Circuit Court ruled in favor of Michigan and the Michigan Supreme Court affirmed. Mrs. Bennis appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, J.)

Concurrence (Thomas, J.)

Concurrence (Ginsburg, J.)

Dissent (Stevens, J.)

Dissent (Kennedy, J.)

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