§2612. In rem proceedings

A. A judicial in rem forfeiture proceeding brought by the district attorney pursuant to a Notice of Pending Forfeiture or verified petition for forfeiture is subject to the provisions of this Chapter. If authorized by law, a forfeiture shall be ordered by the court in the in rem action.

B. An action in rem may be brought by the district attorney in addition to, or in lieu of, civil in personam forfeiture procedures. The state may serve the petition in the manner provided by Paragraph (3) of Section 2608 of this Chapter.

C. Only an owner of or an interest holder in the property may file an answer asserting a claim against the property in an action in rem. For the purposes of this Section, an owner of or interest holder in property who has filed a claim and answer shall be referred to as a claimant.

D. The answer shall be signed by the owner or interest holder under penalty of false swearing and shall be in accordance with C.C.P. Art. 1003 and shall set forth all of the following:

(1) The caption of the proceedings as set forth on the Notice of Pending Forfeiture or petition and the name of the claimant.

(2) The address where the claimant will accept mail.

(3) The nature and extent of the claimant's interest in the property.

(4) The date, identity of the transferor, and the circumstances of the claimant's acquisition of the interest in the property.

(5) The specific provision of this Section relied on in asserting that it is not subject to forfeiture.

(6) All essential facts supporting each assertion.

(7) The precise relief sought.

E. The answer shall be filed within fifteen days after service of the civil in rem petition. No claimant shall be required to pay court costs to contest a forfeiture proceeding, except in a final judgment.

F. The state and any claimant who has timely answered the petition may, at the time of filing its pleadings, or at any other time not less than thirty days prior to the hearing, serve discovery requests on any other party, the answers or response to which shall be due within fifteen days of service. Discovery may include deposition of any person at any time after the expiration of fifteen days after the filing and service of the petition. Any party may move for a summary judgment at any time after an answer or responsive pleading is served and not less than thirty days prior to the hearing.

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. In a forfeiture case wherein no claim is timely filed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, the burden of proof to forfeit shall be probable cause. In a forfeiture case, wherein a claim is timely filed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, the burden of proof required to forfeit the defendant's property shall be a preponderance of the evidence.

H. If the district attorney fails to show the existence of probable cause for forfeiture, or a claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant has an interest that is exempt under the provisions of Section 2605 of this Chapter, the court shall order the interest in the property returned or conveyed to the claimant. The court shall order all other property forfeited to this state and conduct further proceedings pursuant to the provisions of Section 2615 and 2616 of this Chapter.

Acts 1989, No. 375, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1997, No. 1334, §1.