Ohio — Statute

Care of Property in Law Enforcement Custody | Ohio Title 29 - Crimes and Procedure | Ohio Law

Ohio law ORC 2981.11 governs how law enforcement agencies must securely store and dispose of property in their custody, with specific exceptions.

Legal Content

Care of Property in Law Enforcement Custody

Ohio — Ohio Title 29 - Crimes and Procedure

Summary

Ohio law ORC 2981.11 mandates that law enforcement agencies securely store property that is lost, abandoned, stolen, or lawfully seized until it is no longer needed as evidence or for other lawful purposes, and then dispose of it according to specific procedures. Certain types of property, such as vehicles subject to forfeiture, junk vehicles, unclaimed property, animals, controlled substances, and property recovered by specific agencies, are exempt from these storage requirements. The law ensures proper handling and disposal of property while outlining exceptions for particular items and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of property are covered under Ohio ORC 2981.11?

It covers property that is lost, abandoned, stolen, seized, or lawfully forfeited and in the custody of law enforcement, excluding certain items like vehicles, junk property, animals, and controlled substances.

How must law enforcement agencies handle property in their custody?

They must keep the property safely until it is no longer needed as evidence or for lawful purposes, then dispose of it according to specific legal procedures outlined in Ohio law.

Are there any exceptions to the property storage requirements?

Yes, certain items such as forfeitable vehicles, junk vehicles, unclaimed property, animals, controlled substances, and property recovered by specific agencies are exempt from these storage requirements.

What happens to property after it is no longer needed as evidence?

It must be disposed of in accordance with Ohio law, specifically sections 2981.12 and 2981.13, which detail the procedures for proper disposal or sale.

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In simple terms: Ohio law ORC 2981.11 governs how law enforcement agencies must securely store and dispose of property in their custody, with specific exceptions.. This means people must follow this rule, and breaking it can lead to criminal penalties.

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