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Disposition of Forfeited Property; Order of Distribution; Annual Report

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As used in this Code section, the term:
1. "Entity" means and includes, but shall not be limited to, a law enforcement agency, multijurisdictional task force, or office, agency, authority, department, commission, board, body, division, instrumentality, or institution of the state or any political subdivision.
2. "Law enforcement agency" means a governmental unit of one or more persons employed full time or part time by the state, a state agency or department, or a political subdivision for the purposes of preventing and detecting crime and enforcing state laws or local ordinances, employees of which unit are authorized to make arrests for crimes or seize property while acting within the scope of their authority.
3. "Multijurisdictional task force" means a cooperative law enforcement effort involving personnel from two or more law enforcement agencies who are employed by or acting under the authority of different governmental authorities.
4. "Official law enforcement purpose" means expenditures associated with investigations; training; travel; the purchase, lease, maintenance, and improvement of equipment, law enforcement facilities, and detention facilities; capital improvements; victim assistance and witness assistance services; the costs of accounting, auditing, and tracking of expenditures for federally shared cash, proceeds, and tangible property; awards, museums, and memorials directly related to law enforcement; drug and gang education and awareness programs; the payment of matching funds for state or federal grant programs that enhance law enforcement services to the community or judicial circuit; and reimbursement to a governing authority for a pro rata share of the indirect costs incurred by the governing authority for a common or joint purpose benefiting the law enforcement agency and other local government agencies which are not readily assignable to any particular agency.
5. "Official prosecutorial purpose" means expenditures associated with investigations; hearings; trials; appeals; forensic services; language interpreters or interpreters for the hearing impaired; travel expenses that conform to the provisions set forth in Code Sections 15-18-12 and 50-5B-5; training related to the official functions of the district attorney; the purchase, lease, maintenance, and improvement of equipment; victim assistance and witness assistance services; the payment of matching funds for state or federal grant programs that enhance prosecution, victim, or witness services to the community or judicial circuit; reimbursement to a governing authority for a pro rata share of the indirect costs incurred by the governing authority for a common or joint purpose benefiting the district attorney's office and other local government agencies which are not readily assignable to any particular agency; and the payment of salaries and benefits in conformity with subsection (e) of Code Section 15-18-19 and Code Section 15-18-20.1.
6. "Prosecuting Attorneys' Council" means the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia.
Whenever property is forfeited under this chapter, any property which is required by order of the court or by law to be destroyed or which is harmful to the public shall, when no longer needed for evidentiary purposes, be destroyed or forwarded to the Division of Forensic Sciences of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or any other agency of state or local government for destruction or for any medical or scientific use not prohibited under the laws of this state or of the United States.
When property, other than currency or real property, is forfeited under this chapter, the court may:
1. Order the property to be sold, with the income from the sale to be distributed as provided in subsection (f) of this Code section; or
2. Provide for the in-kind distribution of the property as provided for in subsection (f) of this Code section.
When real property is forfeited, the court may appoint a person to act as the receiver of such property for the limited purpose of holding and transferring title and may order that:
1. The title to the real property be placed in the name of the state;
2. The title to the real property be placed in the name of the political subdivision which will be taking charge of such property. Such political subdivision shall then:
  1. Sell the property with such conditions as the court deems proper and distribute the income as provided in subsection (f) of this Code section; or
  2. Hold the property for use by one or more law enforcement agencies;
3. The real property be turned over to an appropriate political subdivision without restrictions;
4. The real property be deeded to a land bank authority as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 48; or
5. The real property be disposed of in any commercially reasonable manner as the court deems proper.
When property is to be sold pursuant to this Code section:
1. The court may direct that such property be sold by:
  1. Judicial sale as provided in Article 7 of Chapter 13 of this title; provided, however, that the court may establish a minimum acceptable price for such property; or
  2. Any commercially feasible means, including, but not limited to, in the case of real property, listing such property with a licensed real estate broker, selected by a state attorney through competitive bids; and
2. The income from such sale shall be paid into the registry of the court or deposited into an account as specified in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 9-16-10 as directed by the court.
1. The state attorney shall submit a proposed order of distribution to the court and the court shall issue an order of distribution. Such order shall specify the time frame for the transfer of forfeited property and the entity responsible for effectuating the transfer of such property. The state attorney shall provide a copy of the order of distribution to any entity responsible for effectuating such transfer. The state attorney shall provide a copy of the order of distribution to the chief executive officer of each political subdivision whose law enforcement agency will receive a distribution pursuant to such order.
2. All property forfeited in the same civil forfeiture proceeding shall be pooled together and a fair market value shall be assigned to each item of property other than currency in such pool. A total value shall be established for the pool by adding together the fair market value of all such property in the pool, the amount of currency in the pool, and any accrued interest.
3. 1. The first distribution from the pool shall be to pay costs and court costs to the entity incurring the costs or court costs.
  2. Except as provided in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, the second distribution from the pool, upon the request of the district attorney, shall be 10 percent of such pool which shall be paid to the district attorney's office, in recognition of the district attorney's effort in completing the civil forfeiture proceeding, and shall be used by a district attorney for official prosecutorial purposes. Forfeited property and the sums held by a district attorney shall be in addition to the respective budgets of the state and the counties comprising the judicial circuit for a district attorney and shall not supplant such appropriations.
  3. Except as provided in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, the third distribution from the pool shall be pro rata to law enforcement agencies and multijurisdictional task forces according to the role each law enforcement agency or multijurisdictional task force played in the seizure and forfeiture of the forfeited property up to the limits set forth in division (4)(A)(ii) of this subsection.
  4. If there remains currency in the pool after the distributions set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of this paragraph, it may be distributed as further set forth in division (4)(A)(iii) or (4)(B)(ii) of this subsection, as applicable.
  5. If the civil forfeiture proceeding results from criminal conduct in violation of Article 11 of Chapter 1 of Title 7, Code Section 16-5-46, Article 5 of Chapter 8 of Title 16, or Chapter 14 of Title 16, after satisfaction of the interest of any innocent party, the court may make any division of the pool among the state, political subdivisions, or agencies or departments of the state or political subdivisions commensurate with the assistance each contributed to the underlying criminal prosecution or civil forfeiture proceeding, or both such actions.
4. Property distribution shall be as follows:
  1. With respect to political subdivisions:
    1. Property distributed in kind to a political subdivision or multijurisdictional task force for use by an agency, department, or officer of a political subdivision for official law enforcement purposes shall be designated in the order of distribution and shall be titled accordingly; provided, however, that property may be distributed for other purposes to any other entity so long as such designation is made in the order of distribution and reported in accordance with subsection (g) of this Code section. If real property is distributed to a political subdivision, the political subdivision may transfer the real property to a land bank authority as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 48. When in-kind property is no longer needed by the recipient, it shall be disposed of in accordance with the political subdivision's policy and procedure;
    2. Currency distributed to local law enforcement agencies or to multijurisdictional task forces shall be paid or credited to such agencies or task forces as provided in the order of distribution; provided, however, that such agency or task force shall not be eligible to receive more than 33 1/3 percent of the amount of local funds appropriated or otherwise made available to such agency or task force for the fiscal year in which such funds are distributed. Such currency may be used for any official law enforcement purpose at the discretion of the chief officer of the law enforcement agency receiving such distribution, provided that such distribution shall not be used to supplant any other local, state, or federal funds appropriated for staff or operations or to pay salaries or rewards to law enforcement personnel;
    3. Currency not distributed pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph shall be expended for any official law enforcement purpose; for the representation of indigents in criminal cases; for drug treatment, mental health treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, or education or any other program which deters drug or substance abuse or responds to problems created by drug or substance abuse; for use as matching funds for grant programs related to drug treatment or prevention; to fund victim assistance; or for any combination of the foregoing; and
    4. When a chief officer of a law enforcement agency does not qualify as a candidate for reelection or has been defeated in any election, he or she shall not transfer any currency or property received due to civil forfeiture proceedings to any other entity prior to leaving office; provided, however, that he or she may continue to expend such currency or make use of such property for any official law enforcement purpose within his or her law enforcement agency; and
  2. With respect to the state:
    1. Property distributed in kind to the state for use by a state agency, officer of the state, or district attorney shall be designated in the order of distribution; provided, however, that property may be distributed for other purposes to any other entity so long as such designation is made in the order of distribution and reported in accordance with subsection (g) of this Code section. When a state agency, officer of the state, or district attorney determines that in-kind property is no longer needed by the recipient, it shall be delivered over to the Department of Administrative Services for such use or disposition as may be determined by the commissioner of administrative services;
    2. Currency distributed to the state for use by a state agency, officer of the state, district attorney, or as further set forth in this division shall be paid as provided in the order of distribution. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the currency otherwise distributed to the state be used, subject to appropriation from the general fund in the manner provided by law, for funding of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 17, the "Georgia Indigent Defense Act of 2003,' for representation of indigents in criminal cases; for funding of the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund; for law enforcement and prosecution agency programs and particularly for funding of advanced drug investigation and prosecution training for law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys; for drug treatment, mental health treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, or education or any other program which deters drug or substance abuse or responds to problems created by drug or substance abuse; for use as matching funds for grant programs related to drug treatment or prevention; or for financing the judicial system of the state; and
    3. When a district attorney does not qualify as a candidate for reelection or has been defeated in any election, he or she shall not transfer any currency or property received due to civil forfeiture proceedings to any other entity prior to leaving office; provided, however, that he or she may continue to expend such currency or make use of such property for any official prosecutorial purpose within his or her office.
1. Property and proceeds forfeited pursuant to this chapter and any income resulting from the sale of forfeited property is government property. It is the intent of the General Assembly that there be accountability and transparency applicable to the distribution of forfeited property and income from the sale of forfeited property. The appropriate accounting and auditing standards shall be applicable to such distribution.
2. Any law enforcement agency, multijurisdictional task force, district attorney, or state agency receiving property and proceeds forfeited pursuant to this chapter and any income resulting from the sale of forfeited property, including property distributed in kind, shall submit an annual report specifying the property and proceeds forfeited pursuant to this chapter and any income resulting from the sale of forfeited property received during its reporting year and shall clearly identify the use of such property, proceeds, and income, including the specifics of all monetary expenditures and funds on deposit with a financial institution. Such report shall not include any information that is likely to disclose the identity of a confidential source, disclose confidential investigative or prosecution material which could endanger the life or physical safety of any person, disclose the existence of a confidential surveillance or investigation, or disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions. Such annual report shall be appropriately completed and legible. Such report shall be:
  1. With respect to law enforcement agencies, multijurisdictional task forces, and state agencies:
    1. Submitted on a form promulgated by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of this subsection;
    2. Submitted by each local law enforcement agency to the political subdivision governing its jurisdiction;
    3. Submitted by multijurisdictional task forces to each political subdivision governing the jurisdictions involved;
    4. Submitted by state agencies to the state auditor;
    5. Submitted by January 31 each year for the previous calendar year; and
    6. Copied and submitted to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the University of Georgia as provided in Code Section 36-80-21; and
  2. With respect to district attorneys:
    1. Submitted on a form promulgated by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of this subsection;
    2. Submitted by district attorneys to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council according to the rules and regulations adopted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council;
    3. Submitted to the state auditor;
    4. Submitted by January 31 each year for the previous calendar year; and
    5. Copied and submitted to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the University of Georgia as provided in Code Section 36-80-21.
3. 1. The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council shall promulgate and from time to time amend as necessary and post on its website an annual reporting form for use by law enforcement agencies, multijurisdictional task forces, and state agencies to report the information required by this subsection. In creating this form, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council shall consider input from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Such form shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
    1. As to property, other than currency, an itemization specifying:
  2. The date the property was received by the entity;
  3. The make, model, and serial number, when relevant; provided, however, that such details shall not be required when such details would disclose the identification of property being used in a confidential investigation or would compromise an ongoing investigation;
  4. The statutes upon which the property was subject to forfeiture;
  5. The estimated value of the property received;
  6. If the property was sold, the date of the sale and the gross and net income received;
  7. If the property was retained, the purpose for which it was used; provided, however, that such details shall not be required when such details would disclose the identification of property being used in a confidential investigation or would compromise an ongoing investigation; and
  8. If the property was destroyed, the date of the destruction;
    1. As to currency, an itemization specifying:
  9. The amount of currency forfeited and the date the currency was received; and
  10. The statutes upon which the currency was subject to forfeiture;
    1. If property was returned to an owner or interest holder, by the seizing law enforcement agency or in the order of distribution, a description of such property and date of return of such property;
    2. The total for the reporting year of the amount of currency forfeited and net income from the sale of forfeited property which the entity received;
    3. A description of the use and expenditure of forfeited funds for the reporting year, specifying for each expenditure the amount expended and the purpose for which each expenditure was made; and
    4. The total amount of forfeited currency held in a financial institution at the end of the reporting year, including the net income from the sale of forfeited property and interest earned.
  11. The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council shall promulgate and from time to time amend as necessary and post on its website an annual reporting form for district attorneys to use to report the information required by this subsection. In creating this form, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council shall consider input from the District Attorneys' Association of Georgia. Such form shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
    1. As to in-kind property received, an itemization specifying:
  12. The date the property was received;
  13. The make, model, and serial number, when relevant; provided, however, that such details shall not be required when such details would disclose the identification of property being used in a confidential investigation or would compromise an ongoing investigation;
  14. The statutes upon which the property was subject to forfeiture; and
  15. A description of the purpose to which the property was put;
    1. As to currency received, an itemization specifying:
  16. The amount of currency and the date the currency was received; and
  17. A description of the use and expenditure of forfeited currency for the reporting year, specifying for each expenditure the amount expended and the purpose for which each expenditure was made; and
    1. The total amount of currency received by the district attorney during the reporting year and the amount remaining that has not been expended, including any interest earned.
4. The annual report required by this subsection may be submitted electronically, provided the submission complies with Chapter 12 of Title 10.
5. 1. The district attorney having jurisdiction where the local law enforcement agency or multijurisdictional task force is located shall be authorized to conduct an investigation and bring any criminal prosecution or civil action he or she deems necessary to ensure compliance with this subsection. The district attorney shall provide an entity required to comply with the reporting requirements of this subsection and found to have committed a violation of this subsection 60 days to demonstrate to the district attorney that such entity has come into compliance with this subsection. If, after 60 days, the entity has failed to correct all deficiencies, such entity shall be prohibited from being eligible to receive property derived or resulting from civil forfeiture proceedings until such time as the entity demonstrates to the district attorney that such entity has corrected all deficiencies and is in compliance with this subsection; provided, however, that if the chief officer of the entity has resigned or has been removed from office, the prohibition shall not apply so long as his or her successor in office corrects all deficiencies within 180 days of taking office. At any time after the district attorney finds an entity to be in violation of this subsection, such entity may seek administrative relief through the Office of State Administrative Hearings. If an entity seeks administrative relief, the time for correcting deficiencies shall be tolled, and any action to exclude the entity from receiving property derived or resulting from civil forfeiture proceedings shall be suspended until such time as a final ruling upholding the findings of the district attorney is issued.
  2. If the district attorney is disqualified from conducting any investigation under this paragraph, the district attorney shall notify the Attorney General in accordance with Code Section 15-18-5.
6. If an audit concludes that a district attorney has used property in violation of this Code section and the auditor notifies the district attorney of such violation, he or she shall take appropriate action to remedy the audit's findings and repay or redistribute property improperly used. If the district attorney fails to remedy the audit's findings within 60 days of such notification, the auditor shall notify the Attorney General for further legal action.
7. Any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent annual report pursuant to this subsection shall be guilty of a violation of Code Section 16-10-20 and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in such Code section. Any entity that employed a person convicted of false statements based on a violation of this subsection shall be prohibited from being eligible to receive property derived or resulting from civil forfeiture proceedings for a period of two years commencing from the date of such conviction, unless such entity no longer employs such person.

(Code 1981, §9-16-19, enacted by Ga. L. 2015, p. 693, § 1-1/HB 233.)

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

National Guard as law enforcement agency.

- National Guard satisfies the criteria of O.C.G.A. § 9-16-19 (a)(2) and is a law enforcement agency under this definition. 2018 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 18-2.

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