Brooklyn since 2014All five boroughsSame-day response during business hours

What is NYC RCNY § 12-37?

Quick Answer

When property is not subject to forfeiture under 38 RCNY § 12-36, but is, or may be, subject to more than one claim, the police property clerk shall take the following action: (a) Where the person from whom the property was taken makes a timely demand to the police property clerk for the return of the property, the pr

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

Michael Nacmias - Founding PartnerMichael Sargo - Partner
From the team atNacmias Law Firm, PLLCBrooklyn-based attorneys representingproperty owners across all five boroughsMeet the team →

§ 12-37 Property Not Subject to Forfeiture but Subject to More Than One Claim.

RCNY § 12-37

When property is not subject to forfeiture under 38 RCNY § 12-36, but is, or may be, subject to more than one claim, the police property clerk shall take the following action: (a) Where the person from whom the property was taken makes a timely demand to the police property clerk for the return of the property, the property clerk shall return the property to the claimant unless an additional claim is made in writing or in person within 25 days of the claimant's demand, in which case the property clerk shall within five days of the date of the additional claim provide each interested person (including the original claimant) with the name and address of all such interested persons, and shall retain the property pending a disposition of the matter between the persons who claim it. If within 30 days thereafter no settlement is reached between the persons who claim it, and the police property clerk has received no court order regarding the property or any notice of any action pending between the persons who claim it regarding the property, the police property clerk shall release the property to the claimant from whom the property was taken.

(b)When acting as a stakeholder pursuant to the provisions of this section, the police property clerk will not be liable for costs, interest or damages arising out of the continued detention of such property or money. Nothing contained in this subchapter shall be deemed to either require or prohibit the police property clerk from initiating a stakeholder proceeding in accordance with the civil practice law and rules.

Common Questions

Our team

Meet the people you will work with

Free case review

Talk to an attorney before you act on NYC code.

Free 15-minute case review with the attorney handling your matter. Same-day response during business hours across all five boroughs — OATH hearings, Housing Court, and real estate closings.

Or email us

[email protected]

An attorney reads every message.

  • Same-day response

    During business hours

  • Direct attorney access

    Same lawyer from intake to close

  • Flat-fee pricing

    On most OATH and closing matters