RCW 46.12.725
Seizure and impoundment—Notice to interested persons—Release to owner.
(1) Any vehicle, watercraft, camper, or any component part thereof, from which the manufacturer's serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, obliterated, or destroyed, may be impounded and held by the seizing law enforcement agency for the purpose of conducting an investigation to determine the identity of the article or articles, and to determine whether it had been reported stolen.
(2) Within five days of the impounding of any vehicle, watercraft, camper, or component part thereof, the law enforcement agency seizing the article or articles shall send written notice of such impoundment by certified mail to all persons known to the agency as claiming an interest in the article or articles. The seizing agency shall exercise reasonable diligence in ascertaining the names and addresses of those persons claiming an interest in the article or articles. Such notice shall advise the person of the fact of seizure, the possible disposition of the article or articles, the requirement of filing a written claim requesting notification of potential disposition, and the right of the person to request a hearing to establish a claim of ownership. Within five days of receiving notice of other persons claiming an interest in the article or articles, the seizing agency shall send a like notice to each such person.
(3) If reported as stolen, the seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly release such vehicle, watercraft, camper, or parts thereof as have been stolen, to the person who is the lawful owner or the lawful successor in interest, upon receiving proof that such person presently owns or has a lawful right to the possession of the article or articles.
[ 1995 c 256 § 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 91 § 2. Formerly RCW 46.12.310.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 91: See notes following RCW 46.12.720.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.12 - Certificates of Title.
46.12.530 - Application—Contents—Examination of vehicle.
46.12.540 - Issuance of certificates—Contents.
46.12.550 - Refusal or cancellation of certificate—Notice—Penalty for subsequent operation—Appeals.
46.12.555 - Quick title—Application requirements—Limitation—Subagents.
46.12.560 - Inspection by state patrol or other authorized inspector.
46.12.570 - Stolen vehicle check.
46.12.580 - Duplicate for lost, stolen, mutilated, etc. certificate.
46.12.590 - Procedure on installation of new or different motor—Penalty.
46.12.610 - Contaminated vehicles.
46.12.620 - Legal owner not liable for acts of registered owner.
46.12.640 - Disclosure violations, penalties.
46.12.652 - Fraudulent report of sale filed—Procedure.
46.12.655 - Release of owner from liability.
46.12.660 - Transitional ownership record.
46.12.665 - Odometer disclosure statement required—Exemptions.
46.12.670 - Assigned certificates of title filed—Transfer of interest in vehicle.
46.12.675 - Perfection of security interest—Procedure.
46.12.680 - Ownership in doubt—Procedure.
46.12.700 - Manufactured homes—Manufactured/mobile or park model homes.
46.12.711 - Street rod vehicles.
46.12.720 - Buying, selling, etc. with numbers removed, altered, etc.—Penalty.
46.12.725 - Seizure and impoundment—Notice to interested persons—Release to owner.
46.12.730 - Disposition authorized, when.
46.12.735 - Hearing—Appeal—Removal to court—Release after ruling.
46.12.740 - Release without hearing.
46.12.745 - Assignment of new number.
46.12.750 - Penalty for false statements, illegal transfers, alterations, or forgeries—Exception.
46.12.755 - Ownership of motor vehicle by person under eighteen prohibited—Exception.