Evidence Management Division

**Please note the following closure:**

- Monday, January 19th, 2026

Property & Evidence Retention Policy

Homicide

All evidence or property collected in homicide cases will be stored until the defendants are deceased or until 99 years from the date of the incident. Property/evidence may be released, however, if the following conditions are met:

• All court action involving any suspects must be final and the District Attorney must have approved the release.
• All persons convicted must have served both their sentence and completed parole.
• Signed release by a Robbery Homicide Unit Sergeant.

Felony

• In felony cases where there are no suspects or leads, evidence will be maintained for a period no longer than the statute of limitations. After expiration of the statute of limitations, if there are no leads or suspects, the evidence will be disposed. Exception: Sexual Assaults need approval by Family Protective Unit Sergeant.
• Any felony case whereby the District Attorney sent an Evidence Release to dispose/release evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Misdemeanor

• In misdemeanor cases evidence will be maintained for two years. After two years the evidence will be disposed.
• Any misdemeanor case involving property whereby the City Attorney has approved disposal/release of evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Found Property

• The owner will be given 90 days to prove ownership and claim the property per EMC Section 10-163.

Safekeeping

• Property that is being held for safekeeping shall be returned to the legal owner upon request. Property not claimed within 90 days is to be considered intentionally abandoned by the owner and disposed of per EMC Section 10-163.