Claiming your property
Property that is classified as “found” or held as “safekeeping” (with the exception of firearms) may be claimed, by appointment, between the hours of 9am and 3pm, Monday through Friday.
Found Property
Items turned in to our agency as Found Property are maintained for 30 days. All unclaimed property, after that time period, is set for disposal. Call this office if you are missing an item. We will search the inventory and let you know if we have an item that matches the description. If we do not, we will keep your information for a reasonable amount of time and call you if that item turns up in our inventory. It is important to provide us with proof of ownership for certain items. These instances will be evaluated on an individual case basis.
Safekeeping Property (excluding firearms)
Items held for safekeeping must be retrieved within 60 days or will be eligible for destruction after this time period. If you are listed on the property sheet as the owner you must bring the safekeeping property sheet and a photo ID. If you are not listed as the owner, you must contact the Officer who completed the safekeeping property sheet. He/She must authorize, in writing, the property to you. A valid ID will be required to pick up property.
Evidence Property
Per FSS 925.11, if the suspect of a case is found guilty by jury, the property must be held for four years after sentencing, regardless of who owns the property. If the suspect pled in court or charges were dropped, or if the case is closed with no further investigation possible, the property can be released with written authorization from the detective or officer assigned to the case. A certified copy of a court order can also release property. There are certain items that cannot be returned once they have been impounded by our agency. Vehicle tags and suspended drivers licenses are two of the most common items in this category. If either have been seized, you must contact the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state that the tag or driver’s license was issued and find out how to obtain a new one.
Claiming firearms
The release of firearms is governed by how the weapon is classified: Evidence, safekeeping or Court Order (domestic injunction). If you are uncertain as to the classification assigned to your property, check with the detective or officer who is handling the case. Firearms are disposed of under a separate statute (FSS 790). Release of a firearm: Before the release of any firearm the following must be completed.
- The person claiming the firearm is subject to a background check to ensure they are not a convicted felon, are not wanted or have an outstanding domestic violence injunction.
- A check of the High Springs Police Department records must be completed to determine the background information on the case. If there are any discrepancies or questions about any information located, the weapon will not be released until the issue is resolved.
- The officer or detective who seized the weapon must authorize the release.