Seattle PD and property question

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Hi all,

My question involves the Seattle Police Department and some property (several firearms and a few knives) that was essentially confiscated from me a while ago.

I'm currently living in Boise and have been in telephone contact with a detective regarding the return of my stuff. In three separate contacts, I have still gotten no return calls from either the detective or another sergeant who has been covering for her while she's on vacation. I guess I feel like I'm getting a real run-around and I'm at a loss of what options are open to me. I have a relative going to Seattle who can pick up my things for me this weekend, so I placed another call this last Monday. No response yet. I guess I figured I would try and be polite and give them a few days to respond. I think I'm getting tired of waiting.

So: who else could I contact Friday morning/afternoon in the chain of command? If I were to threaten to get an attorney to represent me in this matter, how would one suggest I phrase it?

I've got names of who I spoke with, but no dates of when I called, nor any notes on what was said, so I am also worried that I may be screwed on getting my things back. It's not the money per se, but several knives were of great sentimental value to me. I can provide more details if necessary.

Thanks everyone and I hope to continue posting more and lurking less!

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Sage of Seattle wrote:

So: who else could I contact Friday morning/afternoon in the chain of command? If I were to threaten to get an attorney to represent me in this matter, how would one suggest I phrase it?

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Don't threaten, get yourself an attorney in the area and have them file a motion of return. That is what lawyers do.

Depending on the laws of Washington, they have already sold, destoryed, or used the material in "other operations". There is also the possiblibility that the prosocuter is keeping it for possible evidence in a future or current case against you.

To be a parrot, unless you know how to do all the hoops, get an attorney - that's what they are there for.

Also, remember anything you say while trying to get these back could be used to build a case against you if they do not have one already "Anything you say can and WILL be used against you."

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Not knowing the circumstances surrounding the "confiscation", it would be very difficult to assist in this. It might be that you can never get them returned.

I once had some property taken from a car of mine that was broken into for "evidence" and even after the case had been adjudicated it still wasn't returned to me. What I wound up doing was contacting the chief of police and within 2 hours I had the property returned.

Depending on the cause of the confiscation, you might contact the Sheriff and see what he can do. Otherwise, a lawyer will be your only recourse.

Thanks!
Greg

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gregma,

Upon clarification, the pistols were being held for me while the situation was being straightened out with where I was living at the time.

The previous contacts I've had with the detective have so far been courteous and she has given me no indication that my property has been siezed or will be destroyed. All that needs to happen, according to her, is for either myself or someone else on my behalf who is also legally able to own firearms, come in and -then they'd be released.

The problem lies in the fact that I'm more than six hundred miles away for the time being, and that when I've tried to make arrangements with a friend or family member to pick them up for me, the detective isn't available.

So, it's just frustration at this point, though I'm not ready yet to go for a lawyer. I would like to exhaust all other avenues first.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

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Assuming there's no legality issues, I'll get them.

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Ditto on letting Lonnie pick them up for you and since they are still legally yours I'm sure he would be happy to ship them to you (since he is shipping fireams you already own there should be no need for a FFL to be involved unless your state of residence has differing requirements)

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Wow, Lonnie, I would be very grateful for your help. I'll PM you shortly with my info.

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Just an update for anyone who is interested: after a fair amount of hassle from the police department, Lonnie was able to get my guns a few days ago!

So a million thanks to LW and the next time I'm in Seattle, drinks are on me.

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Hassles included:

1) Constant screwing around on getting a hold of the Sgt. so she would release the guns to me

2) The Seattle PD check for firearms release form violated Section 7(b) of the Federal Privacy Act, and they refused to process the form without the SSN in violation of Section 7(a). I argued for almost 5 minutes with a Evidence Unit person who absolutely would not take the form without the SSN, so I refaxed it with it because they aren't my guns and I'm not going to take a stand on someone else's property that isn't mine. I have been assured that the form has and will be changed, after a lengthy voicemail i left for the Sgt. in charge of the unit. When I picked up the guns, however, the forms were still there with the SSN. I'll be poking the Sgt. again on Tuesday reminding her of the promise mind, and I will ask for a copy of the new form.

3) There's just a lot more stuff that I won't state here.

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I'm frustrated. My guns are still in the Pierce County evidence locker. I tried to reclaim them and I was told that I was free to do so, so long as I provided the prosecutor's office with proof of ownership. What? There's no such thing! Is there? Can somebody help me figure out what they want?

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expvideo wrote:

I'm frustrated. My guns are still in the Pierce County evidence locker. I tried to reclaim them and I was told that I was free to do so, so long as I provided the prosecutor's office with proof of ownership. What? There's no such thing! Is there? Can somebody help me figure out what they want?

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Could you PM me off list please?