§ 5324 Property Forfeiture Declaration

(a) If the trier of fact at the forfeiture hearing finds that the alleged property or proceeds is forfeitable pursuant to Section 5320, the court shall declare that property or proceeds forfeited to the state or local governmental entity, subject to distribution as provided in Section 5325. No property solely owned by a bona fide purchaser for value shall be subject to forfeiture. (b) If the trier of fact at the forfeiture hearing finds that the alleged property is forfeitable pursuant to Section 5320, but does not find that a person holding a valid lien, mortgage, security interest, or interest under a conditional sales contract acquired that interest with actual knowledge that the property was to be used for a purpose for which forfeiture is permitted, and the amount due to that person is less than the appraised value of the property, that person may pay to the state or the local governmental entity which initiated the forfeiture proceeding, the amount of the difference between the appraised value of the property and the amount of the lien, mortgage, security interest, or interest under a conditional sales contract. Upon that payment, the state or local governmental entity shall relinquish all claims to the property. If the holder of the interest elects not to make that payment to the state or local governmental entity, the property shall be deemed forfeited to the state or local governmental entity and any indicia of ownership of the property shall be forwarded. The appraised value shall be determined as of the date judgment is entered either (a) by agreement between the holder of the lien, mortgage, security interest, or interest under a conditional sales contract and the governmental entity involved or (b) if they cannot agree, then by a court-appointed appraiser for the county in which the action is brought. A person holding a valid lien, mortgage, security interest, or interest under a conditional sales contract shall be paid the appraised value of his or her interest. (c) If the amount due to a person holding a valid lien, mortgage, security interest, or interest under a conditional sales contract is less than the value of the property and the person elects not to make payment to the governmental entity, the property shall be sold at public auction by the county if the district attorney is the prosecutor, by the city if the city attorney is the prosecutor, or by the Department of General Services if the Attorney General is the prosecutor. Notice of the sale shall be provided by one publication in a newspaper published and circulated in the city, community, or locality where the sale is to take place. (Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1118, Sec. 20.)