Nevada Code § 482.540

Authority of police officer, without warrant, to seize and take possession of certain vehicles; inspection and written report concerning certain falsely attached, removed, defaced, altered or obliterated numbers and marks; authority of court to declare vehicle forfeited under certain circumstances; charging of criminal act must not precede completion of report
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1. Any police officer, without a warrant,
may seize and take possession of any vehicle:
(a) Which is being operated with improper
registration;
(b) Which the police officer has probable cause
to believe has been stolen;
(c) Which the police officer has probable cause
to believe has been illegally altered in a manner that impairs the structural
integrity of the vehicle;
(d) On which any motor number, manufacturers
number or identification mark has been falsely attached, removed, defaced,
altered or obliterated; or
(e) Which contains a part on which was placed or
stamped by the manufacturer pursuant to federal law or regulation an
identification number or other distinguishing number or mark that has been
falsely attached, removed, defaced, altered or obliterated.
2. A law enforcement agency or an employee
of the Department whose primary responsibility is to conduct investigations
involving the theft of motor vehicles shall inspect any vehicle seized pursuant
to paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection 1 to determine whether the number or mark
in question on the vehicle or part from the vehicle has been falsely attached,
removed, defaced, altered or obliterated and whether any person has presented
satisfactory evidence of ownership of the vehicle. The agency or employee shall
prepare a written report which sets forth the results of the inspection within
30 days after the vehicle is seized.
3. If the results of the report conclude
that the number or mark in question has been falsely attached, removed,
defaced, altered or obliterated and that there is no satisfactory evidence of
ownership, the court shall declare the vehicle forfeited and proceed in the
manner set forth in NRS 482.542 .
4. A person must not be charged with any
criminal act which caused a motor vehicle to be seized pursuant to paragraph
(d) or (e) of subsection 1 until the report is completed pursuant to subsection
2.
5. As used in this section, police
officer means:
(a) Any peace officer of the Department;
(b) Sheriffs of counties and officers of
metropolitan police departments and their deputies; and
(c) Marshals and police officers of cities and
towns.

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