California · Penal Code

PEN §11108.5: (a) If a law enforcement agency identifies serialized property or any property reported pursuant to Section 21628 of the Business and Professions Code that has been reported lost or stolen by the owne

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Law enforcement must notify owners within 15 days when lost or stolen property is identified and entered into the state property system, and must return property to owners once it is no longer needed as evidence.

Read the full statutory text
(a) If a law enforcement agency identifies serialized property or any property reported pursuant to Section 21628 of the Business and Professions Code that has been reported lost or stolen by the owner or a person entitled to possession of the property and the property has been entered into the appropriate Department of Justice automated property system pursuant to Section 11108 or 11108.2, the agency shall notify the owner or person claiming to be entitled to possession of the property of the location of the property within 15 days of making the identification. If the location of the property was reported by a licensed pawnbroker or secondhand dealer pursuant to Section 21630 of the Business and Professions Code, notwithstanding the method by which the property was identified, notice shall be given to the party who reported the property lost or stolen pursuant to Section 21647 of the Business and Professions Code. (b) If the property is in the custody of the law enforcement agency and it is determined that the property is no longer required for use as evidence in a criminal case, the property shall be made available to the person entitled to possession pursuant to Section 1417.5 or if the property was found in the possession of a licensed pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, pursuant to Section 21647 of the Business and Professions Code. (c) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to the return to an owner of a lost or stolen vehicle, as defined in Section 670 of the Vehicle Code if the report of theft or loss of the vehicle into the automated property system preceded the report of the acquisition of property as set forth in Section 21628 of the Business and Professions Code by a licensed pawnbroker.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.