PROPERTY RELEASE INFORMATION
*Appointments are required for all property releases*
Call (386)-758-1385 or e-mail ccso.evidence@columbiasheriff.org for all inquiries.

When can property associated with a criminal case be picked up?

⮚Pending Cases
o Contact your attorney or assigned council to request a property release from the Prosecutor’s Office. Once that release has been obtained, contact the Evidence Unit to schedule an appointment.

⮚ Closed Cases
o Contact the Detective assigned to your case, or the Evidence Division to request the property to
be released. Once that release has been obtained, contact the Evidence Unit to schedule an
appointment.
o Please Note: If evidence or property remains unclaimed 90 days after the conclusion of the
proceedings it will be disposed of according to Florida Statute
705.105. If the property is a Firearm, it must be retrieved by the owner within 6 months of the
case being closed or it will be disposed of in accordance with Florida Statute 790.08 and Florida
Statute 705.
o If you are the Respondent in a Risk Protection Order, Injunction, Protection Order, or were Baker
Acted and the order has expired or been removed: You must retrieve
your firearms within one year or they will be disposed of in accordance with Florida Statute
790.08 and Florida Statute 705.

⮚ If I am arrested, what happens to my property?
o If the owner is incarcerated, and the property is taken for safekeeping, the property will be
held for 90 days. If the owner is acquitted, they must retrieve their property within 90 days or it
will be destroyed. If the owner was convicted, and the property is evidence or was used in the
crime, it will be disposed of.

⮚ What happens to property if an owner is not located?
o Florida Statute Chapter 705 details procedures relating to found and abandoned property. Please
refer to this statute for all details pertaining to the procedures. In short, Property will be held
for 90 days, and if an owner is not identified, it will be disposed of according to statute.

⮚ Retrieving your vehicle from the CCSO Impound Lot:
o To find out if your vehicle was towed call Columbia County Dispatch at 386-719-2005 or the
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-752-9212.

FAQ:

Before calling 386-758-1385 to inquire if the Evidence Unit is holding your property, please have
the following information available:
⮚ What is the property type and description?
⮚ What is the Serial Number or Owner Applied Number?
⮚ Where and when was the item lost or stolen?
⮚ Was the loss reported, and, if yes, what is the case number?
⮚ Did you receive a phone call or letter notifying you of the recovery?

How can I pick up my property?
Before your property can be released, you will need to provide the following to the Evidence
Technician:
⮚ Valid state-issued identification;
⮚ Case number, if known; and
⮚ Proof of ownership – or – power of attorney if you are picking up someone else’s
property.
⮚ All individuals retrieving a firearm will have to pass a background check in order to pick up
the firearm. Ammunition can’t be released the same day with the firearm. You will need to make
another appointment to pick up the ammunition.