Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 5 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 5-1-101 — 5-79-101) › Subtitle 6 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE (§§ 5-60-101 — 5-79-101) › Chapter 64 - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (§§ 5-64-101 — 5-64-1303) › Subchapter 5 - UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT - ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (§§ 5-64-501 — 5-64-510) › Section 5-64-505 - Property subject to forfeiture - Procedure - Disposition of property

(a)
Items Subject to Forfeiture.
The following are subject to forfeiture upon the initiation of a civil proceeding filed by the prosecuting attorney and when so ordered by the circuit court in accordance with this section, however no property is subject to forfeiture based solely upon a misdemeanor possession of a Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, or Schedule VI controlled substance:
(1)
Any controlled substance or counterfeit substance that has been manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or acquired in violation of this chapter;
(2)
Any raw material, product, or equipment of any kind that is used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting any controlled substance or counterfeit substance in violation of this chapter;
(3)
Any property that is used, or intended for use, as a container for property described in subdivision (a)(1) or subdivision (a)(2) of this section;
(4)
Any conveyance, including an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel that is used or intended for use to transport or in any manner to facilitate the transportation for the purpose of sale or receipt of property described in subdivision (a)(1) or subdivision (a)(2) of this section, however:
(A)
No conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier is subject to forfeiture under this section unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter;
(B)
(i)
No conveyance is subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner of the conveyance to have been committed or omitted without his or her knowledge or consent.
(ii)
Upon a showing described in subdivision (a)(4)(B)(i) of this section by the owner or interest holder, the conveyance may nevertheless be forfeited if the prosecuting attorney establishes that the owner or interest holder either knew or should reasonably have known that the conveyance would be used to transport or in any manner to facilitate the transportation for the purpose of sale or receipt of property described in subdivision (a)(1) or subdivision (a)(2) of this section;
(C)
A conveyance is not subject to forfeiture for a violation of §§
5-64-419
and
5-64-441
; and
(D)
A forfeiture of a conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission;
(5)
Any book, record, or research product or material, including a formula, microfilm, tape, or data that is used, or intended for use, in violation of this chapter;
(6)
(A)
Anything of value, including firearms, furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for a controlled substance or counterfeit substance in violation of this chapter, any proceeds or profits traceable to the exchange, and any money, negotiable instrument, or security used, or intended to be used, to facilitate any violation of this chapter.
(B)
However, no property shall be forfeited under this subdivision (a)(6) to the extent of the interest of an owner by reason of any act or omission established by him or her, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been committed or omitted without his or her knowledge or consent;
(7)
Rebuttable Presumptions.
(A)
Any money, coin, currency, or firearms found in close proximity to a forfeitable controlled substance, a counterfeit substance, forfeitable drug manufacturing or distributing paraphernalia, or a forfeitable record of an importation, manufacture, or distribution of a controlled substance or counterfeit substance is presumed to be forfeitable under this subdivision (a)(7).
(B)
The burden of proof is upon a claimant of the property to rebut this presumption by a preponderance of the evidence; and
(8)
Real property may be forfeited under this chapter if it substantially assisted in, facilitated in any manner, or was used or intended for use in the commission of any act prohibited by this chapter, however:
(A)
No real property is subject to forfeiture under this chapter by reason of any act or omission established by the owner of the real property by a preponderance of the evidence to have been committed or omitted without his or her knowledge or consent;
(B)
Real property is not subject to forfeiture for a violation of §
5-64-419
, if the offense is a Class C felony or less, or §
5-64-441
;
(C)
A forfeiture of real property encumbered by a mortgage or other lien is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the unlawful act or omission;
(D)
Upon conviction, when the circuit court having jurisdiction over the real property seized finds upon a hearing by a preponderance of the evidence that grounds for a forfeiture exist under this section, the court shall enter an order consistent with subsection (h) of this section;
(E)
When any court orders a forfeiture of real property under this chapter, the order shall be filed of record on the day issued and shall have prospective effect only;
(F)
A forfeiture of real property ordered under a provision of this chapter does not affect the title of a bona fide purchaser who purchased the real property prior to the issuance of the order, and the order has no force or effect on the title of the bona fide purchaser; and
(G)
Any lis pendens filed in connection with any action pending under a provision of this chapter that might result in the forfeiture of real property is operative only from the time filed and has no retroactive effect.
(b)
Seizure and Summary Forfeiture of Contraband.
The following items are deemed contraband and may be seized and summarily forfeited to the state:
(1)
A controlled substance listed in Schedule I that is possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this chapter and a controlled substance listed in Schedule I that is seized or comes into the possession of the state and the owner of the controlled substance is unknown;
(2)
(A)
A species of a plant from which a controlled substance in Schedule I, Schedule II, or Schedule VI may be derived and:
(i)
The plant has been planted or cultivated in violation of this chapter;
(ii)
The plant's owner or cultivator is unknown; or
(iii)
The plant is a wild growth.
(B)
Upon demand by a seizing law enforcement agency, the failure of a person in occupancy or in control of land or premises where the species of plant is growing or being stored, to produce an appropriate registration or proof that he or she is the holder of an appropriate registration, constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plant; and
(3)
Any drug paraphernalia or counterfeit substance except in the possession or control of a practitioner in the course of professional practice or research.
(c)
Seizure of Property.
Property subject to forfeiture under this chapter may be seized by any law enforcement agent upon process issued by any circuit court having jurisdiction over the property on petition filed by the prosecuting attorney of the judicial circuit. Seizure without process may be made if:
(1)
The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;
(2)
The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this chapter;
(3)
The seizing law enforcement agency has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; or
(4)
The seizing law enforcement agency has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter.
(d)
Transfer of Property Seized by State or Local Agency to Federal Agency.
(1)
No state or local law enforcement agency may transfer any property seized by the state or local agency to any federal entity for forfeiture under federal law unless the circuit court having jurisdiction over the property enters an order, upon petition by the prosecuting attorney, authorizing the property to be transferred to the federal entity.
(2)
The transfer shall not be approved unless it reasonably appears that the activity giving rise to the investigation or seizure involves more than one (1) state or the nature of the investigation or seizure would be better pursued under federal law.
(e)
Custody of Property Pending Disposition.
(1)
Property seized for forfeiture under this section is not subject to replevin, but is deemed to be in the custody of the seizing law enforcement agency subject only to an order or decree of the circuit court having jurisdiction over the property seized.
(2)
Subject to any need to retain the property as evidence, when property is seized under this chapter the seizing law enforcement agency may:
(A)
Remove the property to a place designated by the circuit court;
(B)
Place the property under constructive seizure posting notice of pending forfeiture on it, by giving notice of pending forfeiture to its owners and interest holders, or by filing notice of pending forfeiture in any appropriate public record relating to the property;
(C)
Remove the property to a storage area for safekeeping or, if the property is a negotiable instrument or money, or is not needed for evidentiary purposes, deposit it in an interest-bearing account; or
(D)
Provide for another agency or custodian, including an owner, secured party, mortgagee, or lienholder, to take custody of the property and service, maintain, and operate it as reasonably necessary to maintain its value in any appropriate location within the jurisdiction of the court.
(3)
(A)
In any case of transfer of property, a transfer receipt shall be prepared by the transferring agency.
(B)
The transfer receipt shall:
(i)
List a detailed and complete description of the property being transferred;
(ii)
State to whom the property is being transferred and the source or authorization for the transfer; and
(iii)
Be signed by both the transferor and the transferee.
(C)
Both transferor and transferee shall maintain a copy of the transfer receipt.
(4)
A person who acts as custodian of property under this section is not liable to any person on account of an act done in a reasonable manner in compliance with an order under this chapter.
(f)
Inventory of Property Seized - Referral to Prosecuting Attorney.
(1)
Any property seized by a state or local law enforcement officer who is detached to, deputized or commissioned by, or working in conjunction with a federal agency remains subject to the provisions of this section.
(2)
(A)
When property is seized for forfeiture by a law enforcement agency, the seizing law enforcement officer shall prepare and sign a confiscation report.
(B)
(i)
The party from whom the property is seized shall also sign the confiscation report if present and shall immediately receive a copy of the confiscation report.
(ii)
If the party refuses to sign the confiscation report, the confiscation report shall be signed by one (1) additional law enforcement officer, stating that the party refused to sign the confiscation report.
(C)
The original confiscation report shall be:
(i)
Filed with the seizing law enforcement agency within forty-eight (48) hours after the seizure; and
(ii)
Maintained in a separate file.
(D)
One (1) copy of the confiscation report shall be retained by the seizing law enforcement officer.
(3)
The confiscation report shall contain the following information:
(A)
A detailed description of the property seized including any serial or model numbers and odometer or hour reading of vehicles or equipment;
(B)
The date of seizure;
(C)
The name and address from whom the property was seized;
(D)
The reason for the seizure;
(E)
Where the property will be held;
(F)
The seizing law enforcement officer's name; and
(G)
A signed statement by the seizing law enforcement officer stating that the confiscation report is true and complete.
(4)
Within three (3) business days of receiving the confiscation report, the seizing law enforcement agency shall forward a copy of the confiscation report to the prosecuting attorney for the district where the property was seized and to the Arkansas Drug Director.
(5)
(A)
Arkansas Legislative Audit shall notify the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council and a circuit court in the county of a law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or other public entity that the law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity is ineligible to receive any forfeited funds, forfeited property, or any grants from the council, if Arkansas Legislative Audit determines, by its own investigation or upon written notice from the Arkansas Drug Director, that:
(i)
The law enforcement agency has failed to complete and file the confiscation reports as required by this section;
(ii)
The law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity has not properly accounted for any seized property; or
(iii)
The prosecuting attorney has failed to comply with the notification requirement set forth in subdivision (i)(1) of this section.
(B)
After the notice, the circuit court shall not issue any order distributing seized property to that law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity nor shall any grant be awarded by the council to that law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity until:
(i)
The appropriate officials of the law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity have appeared before the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee; and
(ii)
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee has adopted a motion authorizing subsequent transfers of forfeited property to the law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity.
(C)
(i)
While a law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or other public entity is ineligible to receive forfeited property, the circuit court shall order any money that would have been distributed to that law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or public entity to be transmitted to the Treasurer of State for deposit into the Crime Lab Equipment Fund.
(ii)
If the property is other than cash, the circuit court shall order the property converted to cash pursuant to subdivision (h)(1)(B) of this section and the proceeds transmitted to the Treasurer of State for deposit into the Crime Lab Equipment Fund.
(D)
Moneys deposited into the Crime Lab Equipment Fund pursuant to subdivision (f)(5)(C) of this section are not subject to recovery or retrieval by the ineligible law enforcement agency, prosecuting attorney, or other public entity.
(6)
The Arkansas Drug Director shall establish through rules a standardized confiscation report form to be used by all law enforcement agencies with specific instructions and guidelines concerning the nature and dollar value of all property, including firearms, to be included in the confiscation report and forwarded to the office of the local prosecuting attorney and the Arkansas Drug Director under this subsection.
(g)
Initiation of Forfeiture Proceedings - Notice to Claimants - Judicial Proceedings.
(1)
(A)
The prosecuting attorney shall initiate forfeiture proceedings by filing a complaint with the circuit clerk of the county where the property was seized and by serving the complaint on all known owners and interest holders of the seized property in accordance with the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(B)
The complaint may be based on in rem or in personam jurisdiction but shall not be filed in such a way as to avoid the distribution requirements set forth in subdivision (i)(1) of this section.
(C)
The prosecuting attorney shall mail a copy of the complaint to the Arkansas Drug Director within five (5) calendar days after filing the complaint.
(2)
(A)
The complaint shall include a copy of the confiscation report and shall be filed within sixty (60) days after receiving a copy of the confiscation report from the seizing law enforcement agency.
(B)
In a case involving real property, the complaint shall be filed within sixty (60) days of the defendant's conviction on the charge giving rise to the forfeiture.
(3)
(A)
The prosecuting attorney may file the complaint after the expiration of the time set forth in subdivision (g)(2) of this section only if the complaint is accompanied by a statement of good cause for the late filing.
(B)
However, in no event shall the complaint be filed more than one hundred twenty (120) days after either the date of the seizure or, in a case involving real property, the date of the defendant's conviction.
(C)
If the circuit court determines that good cause has not been established, the circuit court shall order that the seized property be returned to the owner or interest holder. In addition, items seized but not subject to forfeiture under this section or subject to disposition pursuant to law or the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure may be ordered returned to the owner or interest holder. If the owner or interest holder cannot be determined, the court may order disposition of the property in accordance with subsection (h) of this section.
(4)
(A)
Subject to the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, with regard to a person arrested for an offense giving rise to a forfeiture action, the owner or interest holder of the seized property shall file with the circuit clerk an answer to the complaint that shall include:
(i)
A statement describing the seized property and the owner's or interest holder's interest in the seized property, with supporting documents to establish the owner's or interest holder's interest;
(ii)
A certification by the owner or interest holder stating that he or she has read the answer and that it is not filed for any improper purpose;
(iii)
A statement setting forth any defense to forfeiture; and
(iv)
The address at which the owner or interest holder accepts mail.
(B)
With regard to a third party not arrested for an offense giving rise to a forfeiture action, within forty-five (45) days of service of process the owner or interest holder of the seized property shall file with the circuit clerk an answer to the complaint.
(5)
(A)
If the owner or interest holder fails to file an answer as required by subdivision (g)(4) of this section, the prosecuting attorney may move for default judgment pursuant to the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(B)
(i)
If a timely answer has been filed, the prosecuting attorney has the following burden of proof:
(a)
With regard to a person arrested for an offense giving rise to the forfeiture action, the prosecuting attorney shall prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the seized property should be forfeited; or
(b)
With regard to a third party not arrested for an offense giving rise to the forfeiture action, the prosecuting attorney shall prove by clear and convincing evidence that the seized property should be forfeited.
(ii)
After the prosecuting attorney has presented proof under subdivision (g)(5)(B)(i) of this section, any owner or interest holder of the property seized is allowed to present evidence why the seized property should not be forfeited.
(iii)
(a)
If the circuit court determines that grounds for forfeiting the seized property exist and that no defense to forfeiture has been established by the owner or interest holder, the circuit court shall enter an order pursuant to subsection (h) of this section.
(b)
However, if the circuit court determines either that the prosecuting attorney has failed to establish that grounds for forfeiting the seized property exist or that the owner or interest holder has established a defense to forfeiture, the court shall order that the seized property be immediately returned to the owner or interest holder.
(h)
Final Disposition.
(1)
When the circuit court having jurisdiction over the seized property finds upon a hearing by a preponderance of the evidence that grounds for a forfeiture exist under this chapter, the circuit court shall enter an order:
(A)
To permit the law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney to retain the seized property for law enforcement or prosecutorial purposes, subject to the following provisions:
(i)
(a)
Seized property may not be retained for official use for more than two (2) years, unless the circuit court finds that the seized property has been used for law enforcement or prosecutorial purposes and authorizes continued use for those purposes on an annual basis.
(b)
At the end of the retention period, the seized property shall be sold as provided in subdivision (h)(1)(B) of this section and:
(1)
Eighty percent (80%) of the proceeds shall be deposited into the drug control fund of the retaining law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney; and
(2)
Twenty percent (20%) of the proceeds shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues to be credited to the Crime Lab Equipment Fund.
(c)
(1)
Nothing prohibits the retaining law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney from selling the retained seized property at any time during the time allowed for retention.
(2)
However, the proceeds of the sale shall be distributed as set forth in subdivision (h)(1)(A)(i)
(b)
of this section;
(ii)
If the circuit court determines that retained seized property has been used for personal use or by non-law enforcement personnel for non-law enforcement purposes, the circuit court shall order the seized property to be sold pursuant to the provisions of §
5-5-101(e) and (f)
, and the proceeds shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues to be credited to the Crime Lab Equipment Fund;
(iii)
(a)
A drug task force may use forfeited property or money if the circuit court's order specifies that the forfeited property or money is forfeited to the prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, chief of police, Division of Arkansas State Police, or Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
(b)
After the order, the prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, chief of police, Division of Arkansas State Police, or Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation shall:
(1)
Maintain an inventory of the forfeited property or money;
(2)
Be accountable for the forfeited property or money; and
(3)
Be subject to the provisions of subdivision (f)(5) of this section with respect to the forfeited property or money;
(iv)
(a)
Any aircraft is forfeited to the office of the Arkansas Drug Director and may only be used for drug eradication or drug interdiction efforts, within the discretion of the Arkansas Drug Director.
(b)
However, if the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council determines that the aircraft should be sold, the sale shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of §
5-5-101(e) and (f)
, and the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited into the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund;
(v)
Any firearm not retained for official use shall be disposed of in accordance with state and federal law; and
(vi)
Any controlled substance, plant, drug paraphernalia, or counterfeit substance shall be destroyed pursuant to a court order;
(B)
(i)
To sell seized property that is not required by law to be destroyed and that is not harmful to the public.
(ii)
Seized property described in subdivision (h)(1)(B)(i) of this section shall be sold at a public sale by the retaining law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney pursuant to the provisions of §
5-5-101(e) and (f)
; or
(C)
To transfer a motor vehicle to a school district for use in a driver education course.
(2)
Disposition of forfeited property pursuant to this subsection is subject to the need to retain the forfeited property as evidence in any related proceeding.
(3)
Within three (3) business days of the entry of the order, the circuit clerk shall forward to the Arkansas Drug Director copies of the confiscation report, the circuit court's order, and any other documentation detailing the disposition of the seized property.
(i)
Disposition of Moneys Received.
Subject to the provisions of subdivision (f)(5) of this section, the proceeds of sales conducted pursuant to subdivision (h)(1)(B) of this section and any moneys forfeited or obtained by judgment or settlement pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited and distributed in the manner set forth in this subsection. Moneys received from a federal forfeiture shall be deposited and distributed pursuant to subdivision (i)(4) of this section.
(1)
Asset Forfeiture Fund.
(A)
The proceeds of any sale and any moneys forfeited or obtained by judgment or settlement under this chapter shall be deposited into the asset forfeiture fund of the prosecuting attorney and is subject to the following provisions:
(i)
If, during a calendar year, the aggregate amount of moneys deposited into the asset forfeiture fund exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per county, the prosecuting attorney shall, within fourteen (14) days of that time, notify the circuit judges in the judicial district and the Arkansas Drug Director;
(ii)
Subsequent to the notification set forth in subdivision (i)(1)(A)(i) of this section, twenty percent (20%) of the proceeds of any additional sale and any additional moneys forfeited or obtained by judgment or settlement under this chapter in the same calendar year shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues to be credited to the Crime Lab Equipment Fund, and the remainder shall be deposited into the asset forfeiture fund of the prosecuting attorney;
(iii)
Failure by the prosecuting attorney to comply with the notification requirement set forth in subdivision (i)(1)(A)(i) of this section renders the prosecuting attorney and any entity eligible to receive forfeited moneys or property from the prosecuting attorney ineligible to receive forfeited moneys or property, except as provided in subdivision (f)(5)(A) of this section; and
(iv)
Twenty percent (20%) of any moneys in excess of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) that have been retained but not reported as required by subdivision (i)(1)(A)(i) of this section are subject to recovery for deposit into the Crime Lab Equipment Fund.
(B)
The prosecuting attorney shall administer expenditures from the asset forfeiture fund which is subject to audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit. Moneys distributed from the asset forfeiture fund shall only be used for law enforcement and prosecutorial purposes. Moneys in the asset forfeiture fund shall be distributed in the following order:
(i)
For satisfaction of any bona fide security interest or lien;
(ii)
For payment of any proper expense of the proceeding for forfeiture and sale, including expenses of seizure, maintenance of custody, advertising, and court costs;
(iii)
Any balance under two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be distributed proportionally so as to reflect generally the contribution of the appropriate local or state law enforcement or prosecutorial agency's participation in any activity that led to the seizure or forfeiture of the property or deposit of moneys under this chapter; and
(iv)
Any balance over two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be forwarded to the Arkansas Drug Director to be transferred to the State Treasury for deposit into the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund for distribution as provided in subdivision (i)(3) of this section.
(C)
(i)
For a forfeiture in an amount greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from which expenses are paid for a proceeding for forfeiture and sale under subdivision (i)(1)(B)(ii) of this section, an itemized accounting of the expenses shall be delivered to the Arkansas Drug Director within ten (10) calendar days after the distribution of the funds.
(ii)
The itemized accounting shall include the expenses paid, to whom paid, and for what purposes the expenses were paid.
(2)
Drug Control Fund.
(A)
(i)
There is created on the books of law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys a drug control fund.
(ii)
The drug control fund shall consist of any moneys obtained under subdivision (i)(1) of this section and any other revenue as may be provided by law or ordinance.
(iii)
Moneys from the drug control fund may not supplant other local, state, or federal funds.
(iv)
Moneys in the drug control fund are appropriated on a continuing basis and are not subject to the Revenue Stabilization Law, §
19-5-101
et seq.
(v)
Moneys in the drug control fund shall only be used for law enforcement and prosecutorial purposes, including without limitation to provide a grant of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) to the family of a law enforcement officer who dies in the prosecuting attorney's jurisdiction.
(vi)
The drug control fund is subject to audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit.
(B)
The law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys shall submit to the Arkansas Drug Director on or before January 1 and July 1 of each year a report detailing any moneys received and expenditure made from the drug control fund during the preceding six-month period.
(3)
Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund.
(A)
There is created and established on the books of the Treasurer of State, the Auditor of State, and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State a fund to be known as the "Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund".
(B)
(i)
The Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund shall consist of revenues obtained under subdivision (i)(1)(B)(iv) of this section and any other revenue as may be provided by law.
(ii)
Moneys from the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund may not supplant other local, state, or federal funds.
(C)
The Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund is not subject to the provisions of the Revenue Stabilization Law, §
19-5-101
et seq., or the Special Revenue Fund Account of the State Apportionment Fund, §
19-5-203(b)(2)(A)
.
(D)
(i)
The Arkansas Drug Director shall establish through rules a procedure for proper investment, use, and disposition of state moneys deposited into the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund in accordance with the intent and purposes of this chapter.
(ii)
State moneys in the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund shall be distributed by the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council and shall be distributed for drug interdiction, eradication, education, rehabilitation, the State Crime Laboratory, and drug courts.
(4)
Federal Forfeitures.
(A)
(i)
(a)
Any moneys received by a prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agency from a federal forfeiture shall be deposited and maintained in a separate account.
(b)
However, any balance over two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be distributed as set forth in subdivision (i)(4)(B) of this section.
(ii)
No other moneys may be maintained in the account except for any interest income generated by the account.
(iii)
Moneys in the account shall only be used for law enforcement and prosecutorial purposes consistent with governing federal law.
(iv)
The account is subject to audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit.
(B)
(i)
Any balance over two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be forwarded to the Division of Arkansas State Police to be transferred to the State Treasury for deposit into the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund in which it shall be maintained separately and distributed consistent with governing federal law and upon the advice of the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council.
(ii)
Of the moneys contained in the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund at the beginning of each fiscal year, no more than:
(a)
Twenty-five percent (25%) shall be retained by the Division of Arkansas State Police to be used for law enforcement purposes consistent with governing federal law; and
(b)
Sixty-five percent (65%) may be distributed among other state and local law enforcement agencies to be used for law enforcement purposes consistent with federal law.
(iii)
With the advice of the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council, the Division of Arkansas State Police shall promulgate rules and procedures for the distribution by an allocation formula of moneys set forth in subdivision (i)(4)(B)(ii)
(b)
of this section.
(j)
In Personam Proceedings.
In personam jurisdiction may be based on a person's presence in the state, or on his or her conduct in the state, as set out in §
16-4-101(C)
, and is subject to the following additional provisions:
(1)
A temporary restraining order under this section may be entered ex parte on application of the state, upon a showing that:
(A)
There is probable cause to believe that the property with respect to which the order is sought is subject to forfeiture under this section; and
(B)
Notice of the action would jeopardize the availability of the property for forfeiture;
(2)
(A)
Notice of the entry of a temporary restraining order and an opportunity for hearing shall be afforded to a person known to have an interest in the property.
(B)
The hearing shall be held at the earliest possible date consistent with Rule 65 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure and is limited to the issues of whether:
(i)
There is a probability that the state will prevail on the issue of forfeiture and that failure to enter the temporary restraining order will result in the property's being destroyed, conveyed, alienated, encumbered, disposed of, received, removed from the jurisdiction of the circuit court, concealed, or otherwise made unavailable for forfeiture; and
(ii)
The need to preserve the availability of property through the entry of the requested temporary restraining order outweighs the hardship on any owner or interest holder against whom the temporary restraining order is to be entered;
(3)
The state has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to show that the defendant's property is subject to forfeiture;
(4)
(A)
On a determination of liability of a person for conduct giving rise to forfeiture under this section, the circuit court shall enter a judgment of forfeiture of the property subject to forfeiture as alleged in the complaint and may authorize the prosecuting attorney or any law enforcement officer to seize any property subject to forfeiture pursuant to subsection (a) of this section not previously seized or not then under seizure.
(B)
The order of forfeiture shall be consistent with subsection (h) of this section.
(C)
In connection with the judgment, on application of the state, the circuit court may enter any appropriate order to protect the interest of the state in property ordered forfeited; and
(5)
Subsequent to the finding of liability and order of forfeiture, the following procedures apply:
(A)
The attorney for the state shall give notice of pending forfeiture, in the manner provided in Rule 4 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, to any owner or interest holder who has not previously been given notice;
(B)
An owner of or interest holder in property that has been ordered forfeited and whose claim is not precluded may file a claim within thirty (30) days after initial notice of pending forfeiture or after notice under Rule 4 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, whichever is earlier; and
(C)
The circuit court may amend the in personam order of forfeiture if the circuit court determines that a claimant has established that he or she has an interest in the property and that the interest is exempt under subdivision (a)(4), subdivision (a)(6), or subdivision (a)(8) of this section.
(k)
The circuit court shall order the forfeiture of any other property of a claimant or defendant up to the value of the claimant's or defendant's property found by the circuit court to be subject to forfeiture under subsection (a) of this section if any of the forfeitable property had remained under the control or custody of the claimant or defendant and:
(1)
Cannot be located;
(2)
Was transferred or conveyed to, sold to, or deposited with a third party;
(3)
Is beyond the jurisdiction of the circuit court;
(4)
Was substantially diminished in value while not in the actual physical custody of the seizing law enforcement agency;
(5)
Was commingled with other property that cannot be divided without difficulty; or
(6)
Is subject to any interest exempted from forfeiture under this subchapter.
(l)
(1)
(A)
On the fifth day of each month the Treasurer of State shall transfer to the Division of Community Correction Fund Account twenty percent (20%) of any moneys deposited into the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund during the previous month.
(B)
However, in no event shall more than eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) be transferred during any one (1) fiscal year.
(2)
Any moneys transferred to the Division of Community Correction Fund Account from the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund in accordance with this subsection shall:
(A)
Be used for the personal services and operating expenses of the drug courts and for no other purpose; and
(B)
Not be transferred from the Division of Community Correction Fund Account.
(m)
(1)
There shall be no civil judgment under this subchapter and no property shall be forfeited unless the person from whom the property is seized is convicted of a felony offense that related to the property being seized and that permits the forfeiture of the property.
(2)
The court may waive the conviction requirement under this subsection if the prosecuting attorney shows by clear and convincing evidence that, before a conviction, the person from whom the property was seized:
(A)
Died;
(B)
Was deported by the United States Government;
(C)
Was granted immunity or reduced punishment in exchange for testifying or assisting a law enforcement agency or prosecution;
(D)
Fled the jurisdiction or failed to appear on the underlying criminal charge;
(E)
Failed to answer the complaint for civil asset forfeiture under this section as specified in the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure;
(F)
Abandoned or disclaimed interest or ownership in the property seized; or
(G)
Agreed in writing with the prosecuting attorney and other parties as to the disposition of the property.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 1023,§ 2A, eff. 7/28/2021.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 1023,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 165, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 164, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 476,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 707,§ 4, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 1971, No. 590, Art. 5, § 5; 1977, No. 334, § 1; 1981, No. 78, § 3; 1981, No. 863, §§ 1, 2; 1983, No. 787, §§ 7, 8; 1985, No. 1074, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 82-2629; Acts 1989, No. 252, §§ 1, 2; 1989 (3rd Ex. Sess.), No. 87, §§ 1, 2, 4; 1991, No. 573, § 1; 1991, No. 1050, § 1; 1999, No. 1120, § 2; 2001, No. 1495, § 2; 2001, No. 1690, §§ 1, 2; 2003, No. 1447, § 1; 2005, No. 1994, § 310; 2005, No. 2245, § 1; 2007, No. 493, §§ 1, 2, 3; No. 827, § 65; No. 830, § 1; 2009, No. 699, § 1; 2011, No. 570, §§ 67, 68.