§818.58.  Procedure for forfeiture and sale

A.  The secretary is authorized, in a summary proceeding, or by an action against the owner or operator of any automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation used in the transportation, of any gasoline or diesel fuel on which a tax is levied by this Subpart, and on which the tax has not been paid in the manner therein provided, to demand the forfeiture and sale of the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation used in the illegal transportation.

B.  In all cases where it is made to appear by affidavit, that the residence of the owner of the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation is out of state or is unknown to the secretary, the court having jurisdiction of the proceeding shall appoint an attorney at law to represent the absent owner, against whom the rule shall be tried contradictorily within ten days after the filing of the same.  The affidavit may be made by the secretary or one of his assistants or by the attorney representing the secretary, if it is not convenient to obtain the affidavit from the secretary.  The attorney appointed to represent the absent owner may waive service and citation of the petition or rule, but shall not waive time or any legal defense.

C.  If upon the trial of the proceeding it is established that the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation has been used to transport any gasoline or diesel fuel on which the tax has not been paid, then the court shall render judgment accordingly, declaring the forfeiture of the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation, and ordering the sale thereof after ten days notice by advertisement in the official parish paper where the seizure is made.  The sale shall be made by the civil sheriff of the parish of Orleans, or by the sheriff of the parish in which the seizure is made, at public auction at the courthouse to the highest bidder for cash and without appraisal; it being the intent and purpose of this Section to afford by these proceedings the owner of the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation a fair opportunity for hearing in a court of competent jurisdiction.  It is further the intent and purpose of this Section that the forfeiture and sale of the automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle, or other means of transportation shall operate as a penalty for the violation of this Subpart by illegal transportation; and the payment of the tax due at the moment of the seizure or thereafter shall not operate to prevent, abate, discontinue, or defeat the forfeiture and sale of the said property.

D.  All funds collected from the said seized and forfeited property shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the same fund or funds that would receive credit for the tax on the product illegally transported.

E.  The court shall fix the fee of the attorney representing the owner when appointed by the court, at a nominal sum not to exceed ten percent, which shall be taxed as costs and shall be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of said property.

Acts 2005, No. 252, §1, eff. July 1, 2006.