The proper handling and safekeeping of property and evidence is an important function of our BCSO Team. The Sheriff’s Office is required to work within certain parameters and procedures to properly dispose of or release property after case dispositions and evidentiary use. Property can only be released after proof of ownership is established and any applicable release permissions are obtained. Because some property can be tied to active cases or proceedings, approval for release can take an indeterminate amount of time or be denied. Persons requesting the release of property should allow for a significant amount of time for the processing and consideration of each request.
Property Release Procedure:
Step #1: Download and Fill out this Property Release Authorization Form: Property Release Request Form
Step #2: Email form to [email protected] or hand deliver it to Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Records inside the Bonneville County Courthouse (605 N. Capital, Idaho Falls, ID) for processing.
- Property can ONLY be released after approval.
- Requests may be denied depending on:
- Type of Property
- Connections to pending cases or judicial process.
Step #3: Once the release of property is approved, a BCSO Deputy will contact you to schedule an appointment for pickup.
The release of property is scheduled BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Mon-Fri (excluding county holidays) between 8:30am and 3:30pm.
- Property is ONLY released to persons authorized to receive it and ONLY after verification of identity by the Deputy releasing it which may require you to have:
- a valid state or government ID.
- a notarized authorization of release by the property owner.
Property pickup is generally done at the BCSO Records Office inside the Law Enforcement Building at the Bonneville County Courthouse – 605 N. Capital – Idaho Falls, ID unless other arrangements are made.
Frequently Asked Questions about Property and Evidence
Property held for safekeeping may be property that was in your possession during an arrest, items left behind at an incident or accident scene, or found property where the owner has yet to be identified. These items are held for a period of time until the owner can claim them.
We are able to return property after any case and evidentiary dispositions are satisfied and permissions are obtained. Requests for the return of property are subject to denial due to pending cases or legal prohibitors and approvals may take an indeterminate period of time due to the status of connected cases.
Proof of ownership and identity of who is picking up property IS REQUIRED at the time of release. This means the person receiving the property may need a valid state or government issued ID as proof of identity.
A person picking up property that does not belong to them MUST have notarized authorization from the property owner before it can be released.
Found property is held for at least 90 days. If an owner is not identified, that property is subject to appropriate destruction or disposal according to BCSO policy.
The release of property can ONLY take place after the Property Release Request form is filled out, submitted to BCSO for processing, and approval is granted. This process can take an indeterminate amount of time depending on the type of property and connection to pending cases or judicial action.
AFTER the release of property is approved, a BCSO Deputy will contact the requestor to schedule pickup. The pickup of property to be released is done BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Mon-Fri (excluding county holidays) between 8:30am and 3:30pm. Follow the steps above to fill out the property release request form and submit it for processing.
Property pickup is generally done at the BCSO Records Office inside the Law Enforcement Building at the Bonneville County Courthouse – 605 N. Capital – Idaho Falls, ID unless other arrangements are made.
Yes. Property with evidentiary or judicial process connections can be returned to the owner after disposition upon request through the steps above. All evidence is stored in a safe place until it is no longer needed in a case. If you have questions about your property being held as evidence, contact the detective or officer involved with your case.
