District Of Columbia § 41-309 - Return of property.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 41-309 — Return of property., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 41-309. Return of property.
41-309Property that is returnable under this chapter shall be returned to the owner.
The owner shall acknowledge receipt and possession of each item of returnable property by reference to the specific property identification number assigned to the item pursuant to . No receipt of acknowledgement shall be valid until the owner has viewed the item and confirmed that it is the item seized and returnable and that any returnable items contained within the item are also present and being returned.
No later than 6 months after the property is returned to the owner, the owner of returned property may make a claim against the District for:
Total loss of property caused by the intentional or negligent conduct of the District or its employees;
Any damage caused by the intentional or grossly negligent conduct of the District or its employees; provided, that wear and tear, decay, corrosion, act or omission of a third party other than employee of the District, or act of God shall not be subject to this subparagraph; or
In the case of property disposed of pursuant to , the difference between the sale proceeds or compensation for disposal and the fair market value of the property at the time of seizure.
For the purposes of paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, the term “grossly negligent” shall have the same meaning as the term “gross negligence” as defined in .
For the purposes of , damages are sustained on the date the property is returned to the owner.
When the owner acknowledges receipt and possession of returnable property pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the District shall provide written explanation of the requirements, procedures, and deadlines to make a claim pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 41-309
What does D.C. Code § 41-309 cover?
Section 41-309 ("Return of property.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 41-309?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 41-309" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 41-309 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.