Australian Capital Territory National Land (Lakes) Ordinance 2022
145Return of things seized
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145 Return of things seized
(1) A thing seized under section 132 or 140 must be returned to its owner, or reasonable compensation must be paid to the owner by the Commonwealth for the loss of the thing, if:
(a) a prosecution for an offence relating to the thing is not instituted within 90 days of the seizure; or
(b) the court does not find the offence proved in a prosecution for an offence relating to the thing.
(2) A thing seized under section 132 or 140 is forfeited to the Commonwealth if a court:
(a) finds an offence relating to the thing to be proved; and
(b) orders the forfeiture.
(3) If paragraph (2)(a) applies but a court does not order forfeiture of the thing seized, the Commonwealth must return the thing to its owner or pay reasonable compensation to the owner in relation to the loss of the thing.