Seizure and Forfeiture of Vehicles, Airplanes, and Other Property Used in Crime - Tulsa Trial Attorneys
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First and foremost, call us right away at 918-884-7791. Depending on your circumstance and your charges, you may have a specific time to respond. Whenever there is an arrest, time is of the essence. Anyone arrested has certain constitutional rights that attach at the time of arrest that need to be asserted right away to protect you, your friend or family member. With a DUI there are four key issues that are effected by waiting;
IF YOU HAVE BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED OF DRINKING WE NEED TO HAVE YOU TAKE AN ETG TEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,
YOU ONLY HAVE 15 DAYS TO CHALLENGE THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE,
EARLY SUBPOENAING OF DASH CAM VIDEO AND CHEMICAL BREATH TESTING SERVICE LOGS MAKES FOR A QUICKER RESOLUTION,
DEPENDING ON YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS RECEIVING A REASONABLE BOND FROM THE STATE MAY MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SITTING IN JAIL OR AT HOME AWAITING RESOLUTION OF YOUR CASE.
Seizure and Forfeiture of Vehicles, Airplanes, and Other Property Used in Crime
1. Any commissioned peace officer of this state is authorized to seize any equipment, vehicle, airplane, vessel or any other conveyance that is used in the commission of any armed robbery offense defined in Section 801 of this title, used to facilitate the intentional discharge of any kind of firearm in violation of Section 652 of this title, used in violation of the Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act, used in the attempt or commission of any act of burglary in the first or second degree, motor vehicle theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle, obliteration of distinguishing numbers on vehicles or criminal possession of vehicles with altered, removed or obliterated numbers, used in any manner to facilitate or participate in the commission of any human trafficking offense in violation of Section 748 of this title, or used by any defendant when such vehicle or other conveyance is used in any manner by a prostitute, pimp or panderer to facilitate or participate in the commission of any prostitution offense in violation of Sections 1028, 1029 or 1030 of this title; provided, however, that the vehicle or conveyance of a customer or anyone merely procuring the services of a prostitute shall not be included.
2. No conveyance used by a person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier shall be forfeited under the provisions of this section unless it shall appear that the owner or other person in charge of such conveyance was a consenting party or privy to the unlawful use of the conveyance in violation of this section.
3. No conveyance shall be forfeited under the provisions of this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without the knowledge or consent of such owner, and if the act is committed by any person other than such owner, the owner shall establish further that the conveyance was unlawfully in the possession of a person other than the owner in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any state. 21 O.S. 1738
Property Subject to Forfeiture
In addition to the property described in subsection A of this section, the following property is also subject to forfeiture pursuant to this section:
1. Property used in the commission of theft of livestock or in any manner to facilitate the theft of livestock;
2. The proceeds gained from the commission of theft of livestock;
3. Personal property acquired with proceeds gained from the commission of theft of livestock;
4. All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels, and horses or dogs which are used to transport or in any manner to facilitate the transportation for the purpose of the commission of theft of livestock;
5. Any items having a counterfeit mark and all property that is owned by or registered to the defendant that is employed or used in connection with any violation of the Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act;
6. Any weapon possessed, used or available for use in any manner during the commission of a felony within the State of Oklahoma, or any firearm that is possessed by a convicted felon;
7. Any police scanner used in violation of Section 1214 of this title;
8. Any computer and its components and peripherals, including but not limited to the central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, printers, scanners, software, and hardware, when it is used in the commission of any crime in this state;
9. All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels, monies, coins and currency, or other instrumentality used or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit a violation of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 1021 of this title, where the victim of the crime is a minor child.
10. All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels, monies, coins and currency, or other instrumentality used in any manner or part, to commit any violation of the provisions set forth in Section 748 of this title;
11. Any and all property used in any manner or part to facilitate, participate or further the commission of a human trafficking offense in violation of Section 748 of this title, and all property, including monies, real estate, or any other tangible assets or property of or derived from or used by a prostitute, pimp or panderer in any manner or part to facilitate, participate or further the commission of any prostitution offense in violation of Sections 1028, 1029 or 1030 of this title; provided, however, any monies, real estate or any other tangible asset or property of a customer or anyone merely procuring the services of a prostitute shall not be included; and
12. Any vehicle, airplane, vessel, or parts of a vehicle whose numbers have been removed, altered or obliterated so as to prevent determination of the true identity or ownership of said property and parts of vehicles which probable cause indicates are stolen but whose true ownership cannot be determined. 21 O.S. 1738
Failure to File Action Within ninety (90) Days
Property described in above subsection of this section may be held as evidence until a forfeiture has been declared or a release ordered. Forfeiture actions under this section may be brought by the district attorney in the proper county of venue as petitioner; provided, in the event the district attorney elects not to file such action, or fails to file such action within ninety (90) days of the date of the seizure of such equipment, the property shall be returned to the owner.
Notice of seizure and intended forfeiture proceeding shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court for the county wherein such property is seized and shall be given all owners and parties in interest. 21 O.S. 1738
How Notice Should be Given
Notice shall be given according to one of the following methods:
1. Upon each owner or party in interest whose right, title, or interest is of record in the Oklahoma Tax Commission or with the county clerk for filings under the Uniform Commercial Code, served in the manner of service of process in civil cases prescribed by Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
2. Upon each owner or party in interest whose name and address is known, served in the manner of service of process in civil cases prescribed by Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or
3. Upon all other owners, whose addresses are unknown, but who are believed to have an interest in the property by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the seizure was made. 21 O.S. 1738
The First sixty (60) Days
Within sixty (60) days after the mailing or publication of the notice, the owner of the property and any other party in interest or claimant may file a verified answer and claim to the property described in the notice of seizure and of the intended forfeiture proceeding.
If at the end of sixty (60) days after the notice has been mailed or published there is no verified answer on file, the court shall hear evidence upon the fact of the unlawful use and may order the property forfeited to the state, if such fact is proven.
If a verified answer is filed, the forfeiture proceeding shall be set for hearing. 21 O.S. 1738
The Hearing
At the hearing the petitioner shall prove by clear and convincing evidence that property was used in the attempt or commission of an act specified in subsection A of this section or is property described in subsection B of this section with knowledge by the owner of the property.
The claimant of any right, title, or interest in the property may prove the lien, mortgage, or conditional sales contract to be bona fide and that the right, title, or interest created by the document was created without any knowledge or reason to believe that the property was being, or was to be, used for the purpose charged.
In the event of such proof, the court may order the property released to the bona fide or innocent owner, lien holder, mortgagee, or vendor if the amount due such person is equal to, or in excess of, the value of the property as of the date of the seizure, it being the intention of this section to forfeit only the right, title, or interest of the purchaser, except for items bearing a counterfeit mark or used exclusively to manufacture a counterfeit mark. 21 O.S. 1738
What if the Amount Due to a Person is Less than the Value of the Property or if No Bona Fide claim is Established?
If the amount due to such person is less than the value of the property, or if no bona fide claim is established, the property may be forfeited to the state and may be sold pursuant to judgment of the court, as on sale upon execution, and as provided in Section 2-508 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, except as otherwise provided for by law and for property bearing a counterfeit mark which shall be destroyed.
Property taken or detained pursuant to this section shall not be repleviable, but shall be deemed to be in the custody of the petitioner or in the custody of the law enforcement agency as provided in the Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act. Except for property required to be destroyed pursuant to the Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act, the petitioner shall release said property to the owner of the property if it is determined that the owner had no knowledge of the illegal use of the property or if there is insufficient evidence to sustain the burden of showing illegal use of such property. If the owner of the property stipulates to the forfeiture and waives the hearing, the petitioner may determine if the value of the property is equal to or less than the outstanding lien. If such lien exceeds the value of the property, the property may be released to the lien holder. Property which has not been released by the petitioner shall be subject to the orders and decrees of the court or the official having jurisdiction thereof.
The petitioner, or the law enforcement agency holding property pursuant to the Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act, shall not be held civilly liable for having custody of the seized property or proceeding with a forfeiture action as provided for in this section. 21 O.S. 1738
Attorney Fees
Attorney fees shall not be assessed against the state or the petitioner for any actions or proceeding pursuant to Section 1701 et seq. of this title. 21 O.S. 1738
Property Distribution Proceeds
The proceeds of the sale of any property shall be distributed as follows, in the order indicated:
1. To the bona fide or innocent purchaser, conditional sales vendor, or mortgagee of the property, if any, up to the amount of such person’s interest in the property, when the court declaring the forfeiture orders a distribution to such person;
2. To the payment of the actual reasonable expenses of preserving the property;
3. To the victim of the crime to compensate said victim for any loss incurred as a result of the act for which such property was forfeited; and
4. The balance to a revolving fund in the office of the county treasurer of the county wherein the property was seized, to be distributed as follows: one-third (1/3) to the investigating law enforcement agency; one-third (1/3) of said fund to be used and maintained as a revolving fund by the district attorney to be used to defray any lawful expenses of the office of the district attorney; and one-third (1/3) to go to the jail maintenance fund, with a yearly accounting to the board of county commissioners in whose county the fund is established. If the petitioner is not the district attorney, then the one-third (1/3) which would have been designated to that office shall be distributed to the petitioner. Monies distributed to the jail maintenance fund shall be used to pay costs for the storage of such property if such property is ordered released to a bona fide or innocent owner, lien holder, mortgagee, or vendor and if such funds are available in said fund.
If the court finds that the property was not used in the attempt or commission of an act specified in subsection A of this section and was not property subject to forfeiture pursuant to subsection B of this section and is not property bearing a counterfeit mark, the court shall order the property released to the owner as the right, title, or interest appears on record in the Tax Commission as of the seizure.
No vehicle, airplane, or vessel used by a person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier shall be forfeited pursuant to the provisions of this section unless it shall be proven that the owner or other person in charge of such conveyance was a consenting party or privy to the attempt or commission of an act specified in subsection A or B of this section. No property shall be forfeited pursuant to the provisions of this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without the knowledge or consent of such owner, and by any person other than such owner while such property was unlawfully in the possession of a person other than the owner in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any state.
Whenever any property is forfeited pursuant to this section, the district court having jurisdiction of the proceeding may order that the forfeited property may be retained for its official use by the state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency which seized the property. 21 O.S. 1738
Larceny - Definition
Larceny is the taking of personal property accomplished by fraud or stealth, and with intent to deprive another thereof. 21 O.S. 1701
Grand Larceny - Definition
Grand larceny is larceny committed in either of the following cases:
1. When the property taken is of a value of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or greater; or
2. When such property, although not of a value of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or greater, is taken from the person of another. 21 O.S. 1704
Grand Larceny - Elements
No person may be convicted of grand larceny unless the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each element of the crime. These elements are:
(1), taking;
(2) carrying away;
(3) personal property;
(4) of another;
(5) (valued at more than $500) / (from the person of another);
(6) by fraud/stealth;
(7) with the intent to deprive permanently. OUJI-CR 5-93
Grand Larceny - Punishment
Grand larceny is a felony punishable as follows:
1. If the value of the property is less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term of one (1) year or by incarceration in the county jail for one or more nights or weekends pursuant to Section 991a-2 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, at the option of the court, or by a maximum fine of one Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine;
2. If the property is one or more firearms, the property is taken from the person of another, or the value of the property is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more but less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a maximum term of two (2) years or in the county jail for a maximum term of one (1) year, or by a maximum fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine;
3. In the event the value of the property is Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) or more but less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a maximum term of five (5) years or in the county jail for a maximum term of one (1) year, or by a maximum fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine; or
4. If the value of the property is Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) or more, the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a maximum term of eight (8) years, or by a maximum fine of one Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine. 21 O.S. 1705
Petit Larceny - Definition & Punishment
Petit larceny is theft of another’s property in which the value is below the grand larceny limit.
Petit larceny shall be punishable by a minimum fine of Ten Dollars ($10.00) or a maximum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment in the county jail not to six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. 21 O.S. 1706
Petit Larceny - Elements
No person may be convicted of petit larceny unless the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each element of the crime. These elements are:
(1) taking;
(2) carrying away;
(3) personal property;
(4) of another;
(5) of value;
(6) by fraud/stealth;
(7) with the intent to deprive permanently. OUJI-CR 5-94
More Larceny Charges and Issues to Know
Theft of Aircraft, Automobile Driven Vehicle, or Construction or Farm Equipment
Seizure and Forfeiture of Vehicles, Airplanes, and Other Property Used in Crime
Seizure and Forfeiture of Vehicles, Airplanes, and Other Property Used in Crime Litigation Expertise
Criminal defense charges in Oklahoma require an aggressive defense. No matter the charges you face, it is important to have an attorney who will help you navigate the complex judicial system and provide you with a clear understanding of the charges you face. When defending criminal charges, it is necessary to obtain representation quickly. Many times the best outcome is formulated and negotiated early in the process. The longer you wait to hire a criminal defense attorney the greater the stress and the greater the advantage to the prosecution.