§15-5-65. Disposition of proceeds.

(a) Unless by other agreement of the primary law enforcement agency and the prosecutorial entity, the proceeds from any forfeiture shall be used, first, for payment of all proper expenses of the proceedings for forfeiture and sale, including expenses of seizure, maintenance of or custody, advertising, prosecution, and court costs. The remaining proceeds from the sale or distribution shall be awarded by the court pursuant to recommendation of the prosecutorial entity on a pro rata share to the participating law enforcement agencies, the prosecutorial entity that pursued the action, and as payment of restitution to any victims of the underlying offense. Any proceeds from sales authorized by this section awarded by the court to a county or municipal law enforcement agency shall be deposited into the respective county or municipal general fund and made available to the appropriate law enforcement agency upon requisition of the chief law enforcement official of the agency. Any monies or proceeds authorized by this article and ordered by the court to be distributed to the district attorney shall be deposited into the district attorney's solicitor's fund to be expended for lawful law enforcement purposes.

(b) Upon motion of any party, a proceeding instituted under this article shall be stayed pending the disposition of the underlying criminal action.

(c) Any applicable filing fee, court process, or other costs associated with the filing of an action or lien pursuant to this article may not be waived, and shall be payable at the conclusion of the action and deducted from the total award ordered by the court. In the event the plaintiff does not prevail in the action, all filing fees and court costs shall be paid within 15 days from the court's order denying relief.

(Act 2014-306, §6.)