§1405.2. Possession of firearms, ammunition, and dangerous weapons by criminal street gangs; forfeiture

A. Any firearm, ammunition to be used in a firearm, or dangerous weapon in the possession of a member of a criminal street gang as defined by R.S. 15:1404, may be seized by any law enforcement agency or peace officer, when the law enforcement agency or peace officer reasonably believes that the firearm, ammunition to be used in a firearm, or dangerous weapon is or will be used in the commission of a pattern of criminal gang activity.

B. The district attorney shall initiate, in a civil action, forfeiture proceedings by petition in the district courts as to any property seized pursuant to the provisions of this Section within ninety days of seizure. The district attorney shall provide notice of the filing of the petition to those members of the gang who become known to law enforcement officials as a result of the seizure and any related arrests, and to any person learned by law enforcement officials to be the owner of any of the property involved. After initial notice of the filing of the petition, the court shall assure that all persons so notified continue to receive notice of all subsequent proceedings related to the property.

C. Any person who claims an interest in any seized property shall, in order to assert a claim that the property should not be forfeited, file a notice with the court, without necessity of paying costs, of the intent to establish either of the following:

(1) That the persons asserting the claim did not know and could not have known of its use in the commission of a pattern of criminal gang activity.

(2) That the law enforcement officer lacked the requisite reasonable belief that the property was or would be used in the commission of a pattern of criminal gang activity.

D. In any hearings held and determinations made pursuant to this Section, the court may receive and consider, in making any determination of reasonable cause, all evidence admissible in determining reasonable cause at a preliminary hearing or by a judge pursuant to C.Cr.P. Art. 162 together with inferences therefrom.

E. An acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding shall not preclude civil proceedings under this Section; however, for good cause shown, on motion by the district attorney, the court may stay civil forfeiture proceedings during the criminal trial for a related criminal indictment or information alleging a violation of this Section. Such a stay shall not be available pending an appeal.

F. Except as otherwise provided by this Section, all proceedings hereunder shall be governed by the provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. Additionally, any action under the provisions of the Section may be consolidated with any other action or proceeding pursuant to the Section relating to the same property on motion of the district attorney.

G. The issue shall be determined by the court alone, and the hearing on the claim shall be held within sixty days after service of the petition unless continued for good cause. The district attorney shall have the initial burden of showing the existence of probable cause for forfeiture of the property. If the state shows probable cause, the claimant has the burden of showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's interest in the property is not subject to forfeiture.

H. Any person who asserts a successful claim in accordance with Subsection C of this Section, shall be awarded the seized property by the court. All property as to which no claim is filed, or as to which no successful claim is made, may be destroyed, sold at a private sale, retained for use by the seizing agency, or transferred without charge to any law enforcement agency of the state for use by it.

Acts 1993, No. 439, §1.