Sale or transfer of unclaimed property

If there is no claimant or if the right to possession of seized property cannot be determined after a reasonable period of time, the law enforcement agency collecting such property, through an order of the court, may: (1) Transfer ownership of the property to any governmental agency having a legitimate need for such property; or (2) Sell the property and deliver the proceeds of the sale to the appropriate finance officer of the city, county, or state employing such law enforcement agency. Source: SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 34.0604; SDCL, § 23-16-4; SL 1978, ch 178 , § 470; SL 1982, ch 170 , §§ 1 and 3; SL 2000, ch 113 , § 1.