Section 19-03.1-36.6 - Hearing on contested forfeiture - Order releasing or forfeiting property1. If an answer is filed within the time limits in this chapter, the forfeiture proceedings must be set for hearing before the court. At the hearing, the state shall establish a valid seizure of the property to be forfeited, and the property meets the requirements of subsection 2 of section 19-03.1-36.2. Following the state's case, any owner or person with a legal interest in the property to be forfeited who has filed an answer to the complaint has the burden of proving that the property to be forfeited is not subject to forfeiture under this chapter. If the court finds that the property is not subject to forfeiture under this chapter, the court shall order the property released to the owner or other person with a legal interest in the property as that person's right, title, or interest appears. The court shall order the property forfeited if it determines that such property or an interest therein is subject to forfeiture.2. A court ordering property forfeited under subsection 1 may order only the forfeited property or proceeds from the sale of forfeited property to be deposited with a political subdivision if the political subdivision has created a civil asset forfeiture fund. If the political subdivision does not have a civil asset forfeiture fund, any forfeited property and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property must be deposited in the attorney general's asset forfeiture fund.3. A political subdivision that has a civil asset forfeiture fund shall establish an application process, including eligibility criteria, to accept and process applications from law enforcement agencies within the political subdivision's jurisdiction for an appropriation from the civil asset forfeiture fund.4. This section does not prohibit the state and a political subdivision from entering an agreement to divide forfeited property and the proceeds from the sale of forfeited property.Amended by S.L. 2019, ch. 189 (HB 1286),§ 2, eff. 8/1/2019.