Sec. 54-52. Determination of claims to reward.
Sec. 54-52. Determination of claims to reward. When any reward is offered for
the recovery of stolen property, or for information which may lead to the conviction of
any criminal, or for both, the court before which conviction is had or the superior court
for the judicial district where the offense was committed, at a criminal term, may decide
upon the claims of the parties interested in such reward. If there is more than one claimant
for the reward, the court in which the conviction was secured or the court for the judicial
district wherein the offense was committed, or the presiding judge of such court, shall
determine who are justly entitled to the reward, and may apportion it equitably
among them.
(1949 Rev., S. 8268, 8273; P.A. 73-116, S. 24; 73-667, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-436, S. 540, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127.)
History: P.A. 73-116 added reference to judicial districts; P.A. 73-667 changed effective date of P.A. 73-116 from
October 1, 1973, to April 25, 1973; P.A. 76-436 deleted provision whereby presiding judge of court to which accused was
bound over determines amount of reward when accused forfeits his recognizance and authorized court for county or judicial
district where offense was committed to determine reward, reflecting transfer of all trial jurisdiction to superior court,
effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 78-280 deleted references to counties.
Averments in application. 39 C. 161. Party furnishing merely corroborative evidence, if necessary to conviction, may
be entitled to reward. Id., 162. The offer, unless otherwise limited, holds good until a prosecution would be barred by
statute of limitations. Id., 163. Policeman detecting burglar cannot demand reward. 51 C. 577. Statutes as to rewards give
rise to contractual rights. 78 C. 428. Cited. 143 C. 462.