568.10 Confiscation of liquors. - Florida Statutes

568.10 Confiscation of liquors.

Upon the arrest of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the arresting officer shall take into his or her custody all of the intoxicating liquors, wines, or beer found in the possession, custody or control of the person arrested, and safely keep and preserve the same and have it forthcoming at any investigation, prosecution or other proceeding for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, and for the destruction of same as is in this section provided. Upon the conviction of the person arrested for the violation of any provision of this chapter, the judge of the court trying the case, after notice to the person convicted and any other person who the judge may be of the opinion is entitled to notice, as the judge may deem reasonable, shall issue to the sheriff of the county, division, or authorized municipality a written order adjudging and declaring such intoxicating liquors, wines, or beer forfeited and directing the sheriff, division, or authorized municipality to sell the liquors, wines, or beer to any licensed wholesaler in the state upon the condition that the intoxicating liquors, wines, and beer must be first inspected by an employee of the division to ascertain that all state taxes applicable have been paid. Sale shall be made, however, only upon submission by the sheriff, division, or authorized municipality of a request for bids to at least five wholesalers in the state, and the sale shall be made to the highest and best bidder; provided, however, if in the opinion of the sheriff, division, or authorized municipality no satisfactory bid from a wholesaler is received, bids may then be rejected and the intoxicating liquors, wines, or beer so seized and forfeited may be sold to any retailer licensed in this state to sell such beverages provided that the sale shall be made only upon submission by the sheriff, division, or authorized municipality of a request for bids to at least five retail dealers in the state and that the sale shall be made to the highest and best bidder therefor; the order shall further provide, in the event any forfeited liquors, wines, or beer cannot be sold, that the sheriff, division, or authorized municipality shall immediately destroy same or that the sheriff or authorized municipality shall deliver same to the division for the disposition as provided in s. 562.44. In the event that the liquors, wines, or beer are to be destroyed under the order, the destruction by the sheriff or authorized municipality shall be in the presence of the clerk of the circuit court of the county and at times, places and in the manner as the judge, in his or her order, directs.

History. s. 10, ch. 18016, 1937; CGL 1940 Supp. 7648(19); s. 1, ch. 22024, 1943; s. 1, ch. 61-259; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 31, ch. 79-11; s. 883, ch. 97-103.