Notice and sale of stolen or abandoned property.

(a) As often as necessary, the sheriff shall sell at public auction to the highest bidder all abandoned or stolen personal property, other than firearms, which has been recovered by the sheriff's office and has remained unclaimed by the rightful owner for a six-month period.

(b) Prior to the sale, notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Jackson County once a week for two successive weeks or by posting notice in a conspicuous place at the Jackson County Courthouse or on the sheriff's office website for a period of at least 20 days. The notice shall contain the place, date, and time of each auction and a general description of items of personal property to be sold at the auction. If publication of notice is made in the newspaper, the first notice shall run at least 20 days prior to the auction.

(Act 2012-460, p. 1277, §4.)