§58. Disposition of seizures other than vessels, airplanes, and other vehicles

A. Where things seized under the provisions of R.S. 56:56 are not confiscated by the department and are not perishable, they shall be held by the secretary for use as evidence in connection with any prosecution for violations of this Chapter. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure includes forfeiture of the things seized, upon conviction of the offender, the things are forfeited to the department and shall be disposed of as provided in R.S. 56:61. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure does not include forfeiture of the things or if there is no conviction, the things, upon conclusion of the trial, shall be returned to the person from whom seized.

B. Where the seizure is of perishables, other than oysters, menhaden and other herring-like fishes, and, because of the lack of readily available facilities for preservation, the expense of preservation as related to the value of the thing, the condition of the thing at time of seizure, or other circumstances not within the control of the secretary, it is impracticable to hold the thing for use as evidence, the secretary shall dispose of the thing, according to rules and regulations adopted by the commission and in all cases, however, using his best efforts to preserve a sample of the thing for use as evidence. Disposition, in the discretion of the commission, may include public or private sale, gifts to schools or charitable institutions, destruction, or return of the thing to its natural habitat. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure does not include forfeiture or if there is no conviction, proceeds from any sale under this Subsection, less expenses of the sale, shall be returned to the person from whom the thing was seized.

C. Where oysters have been seized, the commission may require return, at the expense of the person from whom seized, to the area from which the oysters have been removed, or, at the option of the commission, the oysters may be sold at public or private sale, except in the case of polluted oysters. The proceeds of any sale shall be held by the commission until final determination of any proceedings had with respect to the seizure.

D. Where menhaden or other herring-like fishes have been seized, the commission may direct the captain of the resident vessel, at the expense of the person from whom seized, to proceed to the Louisiana processing plant to which the vessel is normally assigned for processing and determination of the value of the catch to the vessel. The owner or captain of the vessel shall immediately deposit with the commission an amount of cash or a certified check for the determined value of the catch to the vessel. Nonresident vessels shall not be released or directed to proceed to points outside of the state until the owner of the vessel binds and obligates himself to meet the same provisions as imposed upon resident vessels and owners. Menhaden and other herring-like fishes may also be sold at public or private sale at the option of the commission. The proceeds shall be held by the commission until final determination of any proceedings had with respect to the seizure.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1.