When a misbranded hazardous substance or a banned hazardous substance is detained or quarantined under this article, the department shall commence proceedings in the name of the people of the State of California against the article in the superior court of the county or city and county in which the article is detained or quarantined by petitioning the court for a judgment to forfeit, condemn, and destroy the article. Upon the filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall fix a time and place for the hearing thereof, and cause notices thereof to be prepared notifying all persons who may claim an interest in the article of the time and place of the hearing. A copy of the petition and notice shall be posted for 14 days in at least three public places in the city or city and county where the court is held, and in a conspicuous place where the article is detained or quarantined. A copy of the petition and notice shall also be served upon each person in possession of the article and on each owner or claimant whose name and address is known. The service may be made by personal service or by registered mail by mailing a copy of the notice and petition by registered mail to the last known address of the person. At any time prior to the date of the hearing any person in possession of the article, or owner thereof or claimant thereto, may file an answer that may include a prayer for a judgment of release of the article or relief in accordance with Sections 108400 and 108405. At the time set for the hearing, the court shall commence to hear and determine the proceeding, but may, for good cause shown, continue the hearing to a day certain; provided, the court shall finally determine all the issues presented by the petition.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)