New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 13 - LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Chapter 2 - DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL
Subchapter 31 - SEIZURE HEARINGS
Section 13:2-31.3 - Forfeiture and sale of seized property

(a) The order of forfeiture of seized property after hearing terminates all property interests therein and in any proceeds therefrom, including the interests of the owner, any conditional vendor, chattel mortgagee or lienor. The standards and procedure on claims addressed to the Director for the return of unlawful property or recognition of outstanding interests therein shall be as provided in (b), (c) and (d) below.

(b) Claims may be made by the person whose property has been seized or forfeited for the return of seized property on the ground that the claimant has acted in good faith and has unknowingly violated the law, by presenting evidence to that effect at the hearing. The Director may require a claimant to file a verified petition setting forth in detail all of the facts relied upon. Where the Director is satisfied that the claimant has acted in good faith and has unknowingly violated the law, he or she may order the return of the property upon payment by claimant of reasonable costs of seizure and storage.

(c) Claims may be made by any person having a bona fide and valid lien upon or interest in the seized or forfeited property for the recognition of the validity and priority of such lien or interest, by presenting evidence at the hearing that such claimant has acted in good faith, and had no knowledge of the unlawful use to which the property was put, or of such facts as would have led a person of ordinary prudence to discover such use. The Director may require such claimant to file a verified petition setting forth in detail the facts relied upon. If the claim is established to the satisfaction of the Director, the return of the property to the claimant may be ordered where it appears that the amount or value of such lien or interest exceeds the value of the property, subject to payment of reasonable costs of seizure and storage; or order the retention of the property for the use of the State, subject to the payment of the lien or interest less costs of seizure and storage; or order the sale of the property, subject to the payment of the lien or interest out of the proceeds of sale, after first deducting the reasonable costs of seizure and storage.

(d) Claims may be made by a common carrier whose vehicle has been seized for return of the vehicle by filing a verified petition with the Director substantiating such interest, together with a statement that claimant has acted in good faith and had no knowledge at the time of the seizure that the vehicle contained illicit alcoholic beverages. The Director may, if satisfied that these facts are established, order the return of the seized vehicle to the common carrier.

(e) Sale of forfeited property shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of 52:27B-68.