Use of forfeited property. (Effective January 1, 2026.)
RCW 7.120.040
in effectWhen property is forfeited under this chapter, the seizing agency may: (1) Retain it for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state release such property to such agency to be used in enforcement; (2) Sell that which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public; (3) Request the appropriate sheriff or director of public safety to take custody of the property and remove it for disposition in accordance with law; (4) Forward it to an appropriate entity, such as the drug enforcement administration, for disposition; (5) Satisfy any known court-ordered restitution owed by the person from whom the property was forfeited; or (6) Take any other action allowed by statute.
When property is forfeited under this chapter, the seizing agency may:
(1) Retain it for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state release such property to such agency to be used in enforcement;
(2) Sell that which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public;
(3) Request the appropriate sheriff or director of public safety to take custody of the property and remove it for disposition in accordance with law;
(4) Forward it to an appropriate entity, such as the drug enforcement administration, for disposition;
(5) Satisfy any known court-ordered restitution owed by the person from whom the property was forfeited; or
(6) Take any other action allowed by statute.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=7.120&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026