9-16-9. Seized property not subject to replevin, conveyance, sequestration, or attachment; release of property; assignment of complaint for forfeiture; custodian of property.

Property attached or seized under this chapter shall not be subject to replevin, conveyance, sequestration, or attachment.#

The seizing law enforcement agency or the state attorney may authorize the release of the attached or seized property if the forfeiture or retention is unnecessary or may transfer the civil forfeiture proceeding to another agency or state attorney by discontinuing such proceeding in favor of a civil forfeiture proceeding initiated by another law enforcement agency or state attorney.#

A complaint for forfeiture pursuant to Code Section 9-16-12 or 9-16-13 may be assigned to the same judge hearing any other complaint for forfeiture or criminal proceeding involving substantially the same parties or same property in accordance with the Uniform Superior Court Rules.#

Property shall be deemed to be in the custody of the State of Georgia subject only to the orders and decrees of the superior court having jurisdiction over the civil forfeiture proceeding.#