Section 186.5 Of Chapter 9. Criminal Profiteering From California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 9.
186.5
. (a) Any person claiming an interest in the property or
proceeds may, at any time within 30 days from the date of the first
publication of the notice of seizure, or within 30 days after receipt
of actual notice, file with the superior court of the county in
which the action is pending a verified claim stating his or her
interest in the property or proceeds. A verified copy of the claim
shall be given by the claimant to the Attorney General or district
attorney, as appropriate.
(b) (1) If, at the end of the time set forth in subdivision (a),
an interested person, other than the defendant, has not filed a
claim, the court, upon motion, shall declare that the person has
defaulted upon his or her alleged interest, and it shall be subject
to forfeiture upon proof of the provisions of subdivision (d).
(2) The defendant may admit or deny that the property is subject
to forfeiture pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. If the
defendant fails to admit or deny or to file a claim of interest in
the property or proceeds, the court shall enter a response of denial
on behalf of the defendant.
(c) (1) The forfeiture proceeding shall be set for hearing in the
superior court in which the underlying criminal offense will be
tried.
(2) If the defendant is found guilty of the underlying offense,
the issue of forfeiture shall be promptly tried, either before the
same jury or before a new jury in the discretion of the court, unless
waived by the consent of all parties.
(d) At the forfeiture hearing, the prosecuting agency shall have
the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant was engaged in a pattern of criminal profiteering activity
and that the property alleged in the petition comes within the
provisions of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 186.3.