S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-445 – Seizure and forfeiture of equipment used in committing violation of Sections 16-15-305, 16-15-395, or 16-15-405; procedures; destruction, retention or sale of forfeited property; allocation of proceeds of sale | Midpage
§ 16-15-445
S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-445
Seizure and forfeiture of equipment used in committing violation of Sections 16-15-305, 16-15-395, or 16-15-405; procedures; destruction, retention or sale of forfeited property; allocation of proceeds of sale
(A) All equipment used directly by a person in committing a violation of Section 16-15-305, 16-15-395 or 16-15-405, including necessary software, may be seized by the law enforcement agency making the arrest and ordered forfeited by the court in which the conviction was obtained.
(B) Prior to entering a forfeiture order, the court must conduct a hearing to determine ownership and the rights of innocent third parties with respect to the property, and notice of the hearing must be given to all interested parties. The court must incorporate into its forfeiture order provisions necessary to protect the interests of innocent third parties.
(C) Subject to the limitations of subsection (B), property forfeited pursuant to court order must be destroyed by the arresting law enforcement agency, unless that law enforcement agency can show good cause for retaining the property. Ownership of property so retained vests in the arresting law enforcement agency which may use the property in the performance of its duties, destroy it, or sell it at public auction. Retained property may be sold at public auction after giving notice, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, of the date, time, and place of the auction and a description of the property to be auctioned. After payment of the expenses of the auction, one-half of the net proceeds may be retained by the arresting law enforcement agency, and one-half must be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit to the credit of the Victim's Compensation Fund.