23A-49-19. Trial–Disposition of property by court.
If a verified answer is filed, the forfeiture proceedings shall be set for a trial on a day not more than one hundred eighty days from the date of the filing. Any party may demand a trial by jury for the forfeiture proceedings pursuant to §15-6-38(b). At the trial, the state shall establish probable cause for instituting the forfeiture action following which any owner, party in interest, or claimant who has filed a verified answer has the burden of proving that the property seized is not subject to forfeiture under this chapter. If the court or a jury finds that the property is not subject to forfeiture under this chapter, the court shall order the property released to the owner, party in interest, or claimant according to the person’s right, title, or interest. The court shall order the property forfeited if the court or a jury determines that the property was subject to forfeiture.
Source: SL 2016, ch 138, §19.