(A) A peace officer may seize a vehicle subject to forfeiture under this chapter upon the issuance of an order by a court having jurisdiction over the vehicle. Seizure without court order may be made if there is probable cause to believe that the vehicle was used in violation of this chapter.
(B) Receipts for vehicles seized pursuant to this chapter shall be delivered to any person from whose possession such vehicle was seized, in accordance with Cal. Penal Code § 1412.
(C) An immediate investigation shall be made by the Police Department as to any claimant to a vehicle whose right, title, interest, or lien is of record in the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state or federal agency. If the Police Department finds that any person, other than the person from whom the vehicle was seized, is the legal owner thereof, and such ownership did not arise subsequent to the date and time of arrest or notification of the forfeiture proceedings or seizure of the vehicle, it shall within 48 hours of the vehicle's seizure, send a Notice of Seizure to the legal owner at his or her address appearing on the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state or federal agency.
(D) The Notice of Seizure sent pursuant to the requirements of division (C) shall set forth the time in which a claim of interest in the vehicle seized or subject to forfeiture is required to be filed.
(E) A vehicle seized pursuant to this chapter, where appropriate, may be held as evidence in any proceeding brought by the City Attorney or District Attorney.
(Ord. 4411, passed 4-23-01; Am. Ord. 4464, passed 5-24-04)