Retrieving Evidence

RETRIEVING PROPERTY HELD AS EVIDENCE

Statutes Regarding Found Property

Property is released by appointment only. You must call an Evidence Tech at (541) 883-5130 ext  8191 to request an appointment. 

If a deputy issued a property receipt to you, items listed on the receipt are under the protection of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office. Please review the appropriate directions below to recover your property.

Found Property

If we cannot determine ownership of property it will be destroyed after 45 days. If an owner is identified you will have 30 days to claim your property after you have been notified that the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has it in possession. If you fail to pick it up after notification and 30 days have passed, it will be destroyed.

Evidence

Wait 45 days after adjudication of your case to contact the Evidence Tech for information regarding the release of your property.

Safekeeping

Items will be held for 45 days for pick-up by the owner, by appointment. After 45 days, the items will be destroyed.

Weapons

Prior to any weapons being released, a background check will be performed to ascertain your eligibility to receive these weapons.

Medical Marijuana

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office will not return medical marijuana to anyone for any reason. If a Sheriff’s office employee returns marijuana to a subject they would be in violation of the Federal Controlled Substance Act that prohibits the distribution and possession of marijuana and may be subject to federal criminal prosecution.

Title 21 USC Controlled Substance Act: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/

Please Schedule an Appointment

For additional information or to make an appointment for the release of property, please call (541) 883-5130, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, except holidays.

ORS 98.005 essentially provides:

(1) If any person finds money or goods valued at $250 or more, and if the owner of the money or goods is unknown, such person, within 10 days after the date of the finding, shall give notice of the finding in writing to the county clerk of the county in which the money or goods was found. Within 20 days after the date of the finding, the finder of the money or goods shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a notice of the finding once each week for two consecutive weeks. Each such notice shall state the general description of the money or goods found, the name and address of the finder and final date before which such goods may be claimed.

(2) If no person appears and establishes ownership of the money or goods prior to the expiration of three months after the date of the notice to the county clerk under subsection (1) of this section, the finder shall be the owner of the money or goods.

The finder must give written notice to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Evidence Division, within 10 days of the finding that the finder claims the property if an owner is not located.

OR 98.015

If any person who finds money or goods valued at $250 or more fails to comply with ORS 98.005 (Rights and duties of finder of money or goods), the person shall be liable, upon conviction for violation of ORS 164.065 (Theft of lost, mislaid property), to the county for the money or goods or the full value of the money or goods. The county treasurer shall hold the money or goods or their value for owner thereof and shall publish notice of the finding of the money or goods in the manner provided in ORS 98.005 (Rights and duties of finder of money or goods). If the owner has not reclaimed such money or goods within three months after the date of the first publication of notice by the county treasurer, the owner shall forfeit the rights of the owner to the value of such money or goods and the value of such money or goods shall be placed in the general fund of the county to be used for the payment of the general operating expenses of the county.

ORS 98.025 essentially provides:

Rights of the owner. If an owner of money or goods found by another person appears and establishes a claim to such money or goods within the time period described by ORS 98.005 or 98.015, whichever applies, the owner shall have restitution of such money or goods or their value upon payment of all costs and charges incurred in the finding, giving of notice, care and custody of such money or goods.