<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 40-14 Forfeiture petition; notice.">
  <section prefix="§" num="40-14" heading="Forfeiture petition; notice.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Filing; copies to parties in interest.">If the Solicitor determines that the vehicle should be forfeited, the Solicitor shall, within 90 days after the seizure of the vehicle:<para num="(1)">file a forfeiture petition in a court of competent jurisdiction, in the name of the City against the vehicle, as designated by make, model, year, and motor or serial number; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">at the same time, send copies of the petition by registered or certified mail to the owner and any known secured party.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Contents.">The petition for forfeiture shall contain:<para num="(1)">the name of the registered owners of the vehicle;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the name of any secured party whose interest appears among the records maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City;</para>
      <para num="(3)">a statement of the facts and circumstances surrounding the seizure of the vehicle;</para>
      <para num="(4)">a statement of the specific grounds for forfeiture; and</para>
      <para num="(5)">a request that the vehicle be forfeited to the City.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Publication of notice.">
      <para num="(1)">Within 7 days of the petition’s filing, the Solicitor shall publish notice of the seizure and forfeiture proceeding in 1 or more newspapers of general circulation in the City.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The notice shall:<para num="(i)">state the substance and object of the forfeiture petition; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">state that any person claiming an interest in the seized vehicle must file a defense to the petition within 15 days of the date of the notice.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-040</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 08-060</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
