HOW DO I GET BACK PROPERTY BEING HELD AS EVIDENCE?
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Sometimes, in theft cases, a victim’s property may be recovered by the police, but held in police custody. There are many reasons that property may be held as evidence. Items, such as a weapon or car, may have been used in another crime committed by the defendant who stole it. Or, the investigators may need to process the stolen item for fingerprints. Sometimes, an item may be held because it is needed to be presented in court as evidence at the trial. In other cases, the victim may not be aware that it has been recovered, or may have failed to provide the police with proof of ownership. This is very important for items such as handguns. To find out if your stolen items have been recovered and if they are being retained, contact the law enforcement agency investigating the crime. The Victim-Witness Program can also be useful in helping coordinate the victim’s recovery of property held as evidence.