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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 10Ch. 8§ 11471 Forfeiture Seizure Procedures

§ 11471 Forfeiture Seizure Procedures

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 11471 Forfeiture Seizure Procedures

Key Takeaways

  • •The police can take property if they have a court order or in certain situations without one.
  • •They can take property if it's part of an arrest, if it's dangerous, or if it was used in a crime.
  • •For houses or land, the police usually need to tell the owner and have a court hearing first.
  • •If the police take business records, they must give copies if asked.

Example

If the police arrest someone for selling drugs and find a car full of cash in their garage, they can take the car and the cash without asking a judge first.

The police can do this because the car and cash were part of the arrest and might have been used in a crime.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 11471 Forfeiture Seizure Procedures

Property subject to forfeiture under this division may be seized by any peace officer upon process issued by any court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be made if any of the following situations exist: (a)  The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant. (b)  The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this division. (c)  There is probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety. (d)  There is probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this division. (e)  Real property subject to forfeiture may not be seized, absent exigent circumstances, without notice to the interested parties and a hearing to determine that seizure is necessary to preserve the property pending the outcome of the proceedings. At the hearing, the prosecution shall bear the burden of establishing that probable cause exists for the forfeiture of the property and that seizure is necessary to preserve the property pending the outcome of the forfeiture proceedings. The court may issue seizure orders pursuant to this section if it finds that seizure is warranted or pendente lite orders pursuant to Section 11492 if it finds that the status quo or value of the property can be preserved without seizure. (f)  Where business records are seized in conjunction with the seizure of property subject to forfeiture, the seizing agency shall, upon request, provide copies of the records to the person, persons, or business entity from whom such records were seized. (Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 314, Sec. 4. Effective August 19, 1994.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

forfeitureseizureprobable causeexigent circumstancesbusiness records

Related Statutes

  • § 11471.5 Seizure Reporting To Tax Board
  • § 11479.2 Controlled Substance Destruction Rules
  • § 11488.2 Seized Property Return Deadline
  • § 11490 Common Carrier Forfeiture Exemption
  • § 12351 Explosives Seizure Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 11471.
View Official Source