Lost and found laws/regulations

I didn't realize laws like this existed.

Many states in the US have similar laws apparently. I did a quick google search and this was the first result - obviously it's not direct from the source so would be worthwhile checking your own states official statutes:
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuslostdogpropertystatutes.htm

Whats interesting is in Australia you can get in big trouble for not reporting a find.

.

The following is a recent case about a second hand suitcase that was purchased. When they took it home they discovered a wad of cash and didn't report it. They were subsequently charged with 'theft by finding' not sure if they have gone to trial or what the outcome of the charge was

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/news/vict...-in-beaconsfield/story-e6frf7kx-1225850406974


There have been some other recent cases in Australia as well.

While I understand the need to try find original owners I think it's unfair to make the finder wait three months and have to post ads trying to find the owner at their own expense. I also think its absurd in the case above where the people purchased the suitcase. As such anything they find in said suitcase should automatically be theirs as well IMO.

Anyway, I won't bother reporting small finds, clad coins and anything less than probably $500 in worth (if i am ever lucky to find anything worth that much). That's not to say that I wouldn't try find the owner on less valuable items if there are distinguishing marks etc

They purchased a used suitcase and were charged for keeping contents the previous owner failed to remove...



Might want to avoid thrift shops.

If you were stateside, I'd just suggest a common sense approach. But with you local law as is, I don't really know. Better safe than sorry.

Edit: I read the article and yea, it was a pretty shady move on their part to not report it. My best advice is to report anything of value. Unless you're hitting beaches everyday, I don't think this will really be a big concern.

SoKyHunter said:

They purchased a used suitcase and were charged for keeping contents the previous owner failed to remove...



Might want to avoid thrift shops.

If you were stateside, I'd just suggest a common sense approach. But with you local law as is, I don't really know. Better safe than sorry.

Edit: I read the article and yea, it was a pretty shady move on their part to not report it. My best advice is to report anything of value. Unless you're hitting beaches everyday, I don't think this will really be a big concern.

Click to expand...

Yes that was an exceptional case considering a hundred thousand dollars was involved, what gets me is that they purchased the case (it wasn't just found or picked up off the street). I see it as not really being different to buying a house and later finding some valuable buried in the soil. You own the house therefore what you find left in it, or in the soil is yours.

I will be reporting anything of value that I find, but it's not unheard of for people to hand in items to the police never to be seen again...although aus does tend to be fairly good in that they keep a register of lost items. Anyway it's still a concern. Where do you draw the line? If I find a $50 ring and don't report it can I be charged? Under the strictest sense of the law yes, but would the cops consider it worthwhile doing so. I wonder where the line in the sand sits on this...

The first thing you do is..... send it to ME!