If there is no criminal action, property seized prior to October 1, 1974, held by law enforcement agencies in connection with a crime, which has not been claimed by the owner, except property held for disposition pursuant to section 54-33g, shall, upon notification by the police authority, be disposed of on the order of the examiner of seized property if he obtains the consent of the prosecuting official of such court. Property, seized after October 1, 1974, in connection with a crime for which an inventory need not be filed and held by law enforcement agencies for six months and which has not been claimed by the owner, shall be disposed of by an order of the examiner of seized property if he obtains the consent of the prosecuting official of such court. In disposing of property pursuant to this section, the examiner of seized property may order that such property be destroyed or be given to a charitable or educational institution or to a governmental agency or institution; provided, (1) if such property is money, he shall order that it be remitted to the state and be deposited in the General Fund or (2), if such property is a valuable prize, he shall order that it be disposed of by public auction or private sale, in which case the proceeds shall become the property of the state and shall be deposited in the General Fund; provided any person who has a bona fide mortgage, assignment of lease or rent, lien or security interest in such property shall have the same right to the proceeds as he had in the property prior to sale.

(P.A. 75-530, S. 19, 35; P.A. 76-77, S. 3; P.A. 87-294, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 76-77 amended provisions to recognize hearing of Sec. 54-36a created in 1974 and to require that examiner obtain consent of prosecuting officials before disposing of property; P.A. 87-294 amended section to specify that property which is money and sale or auction proceeds be deposited in the general fund.