Indianapolis, IN asked in Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Arkansas

Q: How can I retrieve property seized after my criminal case in Arkansas?

I had a criminal case that was closed over three years ago in Saline County, Arkansas. Two of my computers and three flash drives were seized and are currently held by the Little Rock Police Department. The prosecutor advised me to file a petition with the Saline County court to retrieve my property. I contacted the court, but they only handle paperwork. I need guidance on what forms to use, how to file them, and any additional steps required to retrieve my property.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: To retrieve your seized property, you will need to file a petition for the return of property with the appropriate court. Since your case was closed, the Saline County court should have records of your case, and you can start by requesting the necessary paperwork from them. The court may provide a form for filing a petition, or you can ask for guidance on what documents you need to submit.

Once you have the forms, you will need to complete the petition, providing details about the seized property, the case, and any relevant information, such as the police department holding your items. You may also need to include a copy of the court order that closed your case, as this could help show that there are no legal reasons to retain the property.

After completing the petition, you will file it with the court and pay any associated fees. The court may set a hearing to review your request, and you will need to appear to explain why the property should be returned to you. You can also follow up with the Little Rock Police Department to confirm their procedure for releasing the items once the court has ruled in your favor.

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