SB61,15,2219 (c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to restrict a law enforcement
20officer or agency from collaborating with a federal agency to seize contraband or
21property that the law enforcement agency has probable cause to believe is subject to
22forfeiture through an intergovernmental joint task force.
SB61,37 23Section 37. 973.075 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB61,16,824 973.075 (4) When property is forfeited under ss. 973.075 to 973.077, the agency
25seizing the property may sell the property that is not required by law to be destroyed

1or transferred to another agency. The agency may retain any vehicle for official use
2or sell the vehicle. The agency seizing the property may deduct 50 percent of the
3amount received for administrative expenses of seizure, maintenance of custody,
4advertising and court costs and the costs of investigation and prosecution reasonably
5incurred.
The remainder shall be deposited in the school fund as the agency shall
6deposit all
proceeds of the forfeiture in the school fund. If the property forfeited
7under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 is money, all the money shall be deposited in the school
8fund.
SB61,38 9Section 38. 973.075 (5) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB61,16,1910 973.075 (5) (intro.) All forfeitures under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 shall be made
11with due provision for the rights of innocent persons under sub. (1) (b) 2m., (bg), (bm),
12(d) and (e)
subs. (1g), (1k), and (1m). Except as provided in sub. (5m) (5r), any
13property seized but not forfeited shall be returned to its rightful owner. Any person
14claiming the right to possession of property seized may apply for its return to the
15circuit court for the county in which the property was seized. The court shall order
16such notice as it deems adequate to be given the district attorney and all persons who
17have or may have an interest in the property and shall hold a hearing to hear all
18claims to its true ownership. If the right to possession is proved to the court's
19satisfaction, it shall order the property returned as soon as practically possible if:
SB61,39 20Section 39. 973.075 (5m) of the statutes is repealed.
SB61,40 21Section 40. 973.075 (5r) of the statutes is created to read:
SB61,16,2522 973.075 (5r) If a recording involved in a violation of ss. 943.207 to 943.209 is
23forfeited, the sheriff of the county in which the recording was seized shall destroy it
24after the completion of all proceedings in which the recording might be required as
25evidence.
SB61,41
1Section 41. 973.076 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB61,17,82 973.076 (1) (a) Type of action; where brought. In an action brought to cause the
3forfeiture of any property specified in s. 342.30 (4) (a) or s. 973.075 (1), the court may
4render a judgment in rem or against a party personally, or both. The circuit court
5for the county in which the property was seized shall have jurisdiction over any
6proceedings regarding the property when the action is commenced in state court.
7Any Subject to s. 973.075 (1r), any property seized may be the subject of a federal
8forfeiture action.
SB61,42 9Section 42. 973.076 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB61,17,2110 973.076 (1) (b) 1. The district attorney of the county within which the property
11was seized or in which the defendant is convicted shall commence the forfeiture
12action within 30 days after the seizure of the property or the date of conviction,
13whichever is earlier, except that the defendant may request that and the forfeiture
14proceedings shall be adjourned until after adjudication the defendant is convicted of
15any charge concerning a crime which was the basis for the seizure of the property.
16The request shall be granted. The forfeiture action shall be commenced by filing a
17summons, complaint and affidavit of the person who seized the property with the
18clerk of circuit court, provided service of authenticated copies of those papers is made
19in accordance with ch. 801 within 90 days after filing upon the person from whom
20the property was seized and upon any person known to have a bona fide perfected
21security interest in the property.
SB61,43 22Section 43. 973.076 (1) (b) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB61,17,2523 973.076 (1) (b) 1m. Upon motion by the prosecuting attorney, the court may
24waive the conviction requirement under subd. 1. if the prosecuting attorney shows
25by clear and convincing evidence that any of the following applies:
SB61,18,1
1a. The defendant has died.
SB61,18,22 b. The defendant was deported by the U.S. government.
SB61,18,43 c. The defendant has been granted immunity in exchange for testifying or
4otherwise assisting a law enforcement investigation or prosecution.
SB61,18,65 d. The defendant fled the jurisdiction after being arrested, charged with a crime
6that includes the forfeiture of property, and released on bail.
SB61,44 7Section 44. 973.076 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB61,18,118 973.076 (3) Burden of proof. The state shall have the burden of satisfying or
9proving by clear and convincing to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the
10credible
evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture under s. ss. 973.075 to
11973.077.
SB61,45 12Section 45. 973.076 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB61,18,1613 973.076 (3m) Proportionality. (a) The court may not order the forfeiture of
14property if the court finds that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional to the crime
15for which the person whose property was seized was convicted or that the forfeiture
16is unconstitutionally excessive under the state or federal constitution.
SB61,18,2117 (b) A person who is alleging that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or is
18unconstitutionally excessive under this subsection shall have the burden of
19satisfying or convincing to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the
20credible evidence that the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or unconstitutionally
21excessive.
SB61,18,2322 (c) In determining whether the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or
23unconstitutionally excessive, the court shall consider the following:
SB61,18,2524 1. The seriousness of the offense and its impact on the community, including
25the duration of the activity and the harm caused by the person.
SB61,19,1
12. The extent to which the person participated in the offense.
SB61,19,22 3. The extent to which the property was used in committing the offense.
SB61,19,33 4. The sentence imposed on the person for the offense.
SB61,19,44 5. Whether the person completed or attempted to complete the offense.
SB61,19,55 6. The fair market value of the property.
SB61,19,76 7. The value of the property to the person, including the hardship to the person
7if the property is forfeited
SB61,19,88 8. The hardship to the person's family members if the property is forfeited.
SB61,19,119 (d) In determining whether the forfeiture is grossly disproportional or
10unconstitutionally excessive, the court may not consider the value of the property to
11the state.
SB61,46 12Section 46. 973.076 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
SB61,19,1513 973.076 (5) Return of property. The court shall order the return of any
14property subject to forfeiture under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 within 30 days of acquittal
15or dismissal of charges for the offense which was the basis of the forfeiture action.
SB61,47 16Section 47. 973.076 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
SB61,19,2117 973.076 (6) Attorney fees. A person who prevails in an action to return
18property subject to forfeiture under ss. 973.075 to 973.077 shall be awarded
19reasonable attorney fees by the state. For the purposes of this subsection, a claimant
20prevails if the person recovers more than 50 percent, by value, of the money or other
21property that is claimed.
SB61,48 22Section 48. Initial applicability.
SB61,19,2423 (1) This act first applies to property that is seized on the effective date of this
24subsection.
SB61,19,2525 (End)
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