§13A-8-34. Contesting identification or ownership of metal property.

(a) If the secondary metals recycler contests the identification or ownership of the metal property, the party other than the secondary metals recycler claiming ownership of any metal property in the possession of the secondary metals recycler may, provided that a timely report of the theft of the metal property was made to the proper authorities, bring an action in the circuit court of the county in which the secondary metals recycler is located. The petition for the action shall include a description of the means of identification of the metal property utilized by the petitioner to determine ownership of the metal property in the possession of the secondary metals recycler. If the person who sold the metal property to the secondary metals recycler is convicted of theft of property or criminal mischief related to the removal of the metal property, the court shall order the defendant to make full restitution to the victim including, without limitation, attorney fees, court costs, and property damage which resulted from the theft of property, and other expenses.

(b) When a lawful owner recovers stolen metal property from a secondary metals recycler who has complied with this article, and the person who sold the metal property to the secondary metals recycler is convicted of a violation of this article, or theft by receiving stolen property, the court shall order the defendant to make full restitution, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, court costs, and other expenses to the secondary metals recycler.

(Act 2007-451, p. 930, §5; Act 2012-426, p. 1149, §1.)