Sec. 12.1105. SEIZURE AND DISPOSITION OF UNLAWFUL FISHING DEVICES. (a) When a game warden or other peace officer finds in or on the public water of the state a seine, net, trawl, trap, or other device that is in or on the water in violation of a provision of this code or in violation of a lawful regulation of the commission or is aboard a vessel in violation of a provision of this code or a lawful regulation of the commission, the warden or other peace officer shall seize without a warrant the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device.

(b) When an alleged violator is charged with an offense in connection with the unlawful use or possession of the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device seized by the warden or other peace officer, the warden or other peace officer shall hold the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device as evidence. Except as provided in Subsection (e) of this section, on a final conviction for the offense of the alleged violator, including a final judgment arising from a plea of nolo contendere, the warden or other peace officer shall destroy the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device. If the alleged violator is not guilty of the offense or if the charge is not prosecuted and dismissed, the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device shall be returned to the owner.

(c) If no person is charged with an offense in connection with the seizure of a seine, net, trawl, trap, or other device under this section, and no person is found in possession of the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device, the warden or other peace officer shall give notice of the seizure to the county judge or a judge of a county court at law or justice court of the county where the seizure occurred. The notice must include a description of the items seized and the location of the seizure. The court shall then direct the sheriff or a constable to post a copy of the notice in the county courthouse for not less than 10 days. At the expiration of 10 days, the court shall hold a hearing to determine if the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device was used or possessed in violation of a provision of this code or of a lawful regulation of the commission. Except as provided in Subsection (e) of this section, if the use or possession was unlawful, the warden or other peace officer shall destroy the seine, net, trawl, trap, or device.

(d) A game warden or other peace officer who seizes items under this section is immune from liability and from suit for a seizure or destruction of a net as authorized by this section.

(e) The Parks and Wildlife Department, when requested by authorized representatives of units of The University of Texas System, The Texas A&M University System, and the Texas State University System engaged in teaching and research related to marine science and oceanography, may transfer to such units of said universities and university systems nets, seines, and other marine equipment, which have been seized under this section, to be used in carrying out the teaching and research programs within said institutions.

Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 381, ch. 190, Sec. 3, eff. May 20, 1977. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 781, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 7, eff. May 23, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 851, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.