Louisiana § RS 26:373 - Claims to property seized by secretary

§ RS 26:373. Claims to property seized by secretary

Any person who claims ownership of any property seized under the provisions of this Chapter relating to beverages of high alcoholic content or claims to be entitled to any privilege existing thereon prior to the date of seizure and who did not in any respect participate in the violation of this Chapter which resulted in the seizure may file a signed statement with the secretary that he did not in any way participate in the violation of this Chapter.  Thereafter, upon his furnishing to the secretary bond with security in a sum not less than double the appraised value of the goods seized but never less than fifty dollars, the property may be released by the secretary and delivered to him.  The bond shall be conditioned to pay the secretary the appraised value of the goods and all costs, if the claimant does not prosecute his claim to successful judgment.  If it is not practical to make service upon the claimant to the seized property or if the claimant is a non-resident, the procedure outlined in R.S. 26:372 for the appointment of an attorney to represent an owner may be used in order that the issue may be presented to a court and the claimant afforded a fair opportunity to be heard.  If bond has been furnished by the claimant and the property released to him, the judgment of the court, if the contention of the secretary is sustained, shall be directed against both the claimant and the surety on the bond and shall include all costs from the beginning of the seizure up to the final disposition of the case.

Acts 1987, No. 696, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §10.