Larry Brown et al. v. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland and Security

This case arises from the seizure of property owned by Appellants and the ensuing forfeiture action brought against them by Appellee Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.  After Appellee voluntarily dismissed the forfeiture action, the Administrative Law Judge awarded Appellants a portion of their requested attorney’s fees under Tennessee Code Annotated section 4-5-325(a).  The Chancery Court of Davidson County reversed the award of fees on its finding that Appellee did not issue a “citation” as required for recovery of attorney’s fees under section 4-5-325(a).  The trial court also held that Appellants were not entitled to recover attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.  Discerning no error, we affirm.