Tennessee § 40-17-118 - Confiscated stolen property.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-17-118 — Confiscated stolen property., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 40-17-118. Confiscated stolen property.
Personal property confiscated as stolen property by a lawful officer of the state, a county or a municipality of the state to be held as evidence of a crime shall be promptly appraised, catalogued and photographed by the law enforcement agency retaining custody of the property. The lawful officer of the state, county or municipality, in order to detain the property from the lawful owner, for whatever reason, more than thirty (30) days, shall show cause to the judge having jurisdiction over the property by petition filed by the district attorney general upon five (5) days' notice to the property owner why the property should be further detained. The court may grant or refuse the requested impounding order upon the terms and conditions as are adjudged to be proper. The state, county or municipal authority holding the property shall be responsible for the return of the property to the lawful owner and shall be liable in damages to the owner of the property in the event of damage or destruction occasioned by the delay in the return of the property. Acts 1973, ch. 317, §§ 1-3; T.C.A. §§ 40-2442 — 40-2444. Textbooks. Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure (Raybin), § 18.5. Law Reviews. “To Return the Funds at All”: Global Anticorruption, Forfeiture, and Legal Frameworks for Asset Return, 47 U. Mem. L. Rev. 291 (2016).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 40-17-118
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-17-118 cover?
Section 40-17-118 ("Confiscated stolen property.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. 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 Tennessee § 40-17-118?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-17-118" (Tennessee). 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 Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 40-17-118 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee 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 Tennessee.