Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room

The mission of the Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room Operations is to provide professional care, custody, and control of all property submissions held by the Sheriff's Office. The Evidence/Property room shall expeditiously accept and safely secure items routinely submitted by the Patrol and Detective Bureaus, as well as States Exhibits received from the county and District Courts of Harris County.

The Evidence/Property Room is responsible for warehousing items identified as being abandoned, recovered, stolen, and/or ordered restored to its owners or destroyed by the respective courts of law. In an effort to effectively support the Sheriff's Office personnel, as well as provide efficient service to the citizens of Harris County, the Evidence/Property Room must continuously strive to maintain a balance ratio of item retention with item relinquishment. The Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Address and Hours of Operation
The Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room is presently located at 601 Lockwood drive, Houston , Texas 77011 , Room #220 (key map 494 P). Business hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, excluding County holidays. For information concerning property held in the Sheriff's Office's custody, you may contact the Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room at 713-967-5709. It is important to have the appropriate case number available when inquiring about an item of property. However, the property may be queried by serial number if one was available at the time of submission.

Property Releases

The Sheriff's Evidence/Property Room requires that persons retrieving property must have proper identification upon release. The completion of an appropriate authorization form prior to the release of the held property is also required. This release form may be obtained from the Detective or Patrol Deputy investigating the particular case.

If property is associated with a criminal case that is currently in litigation, an order from the court having jurisdiction over the case is required before the property can legally be released from the sheriff's custody. This type of court order is referred to as a ?Motion to Restore Property?, and must be signed by the judge in the court presiding over the criminal case. Only an original order or a copy certified by the District Clerk's Office will be honored. All orders must be detailed to include make, model, and serial number of the specific item to be released.

Weapon Releases

The United States Gun Control Act of 1968 requires that anyone receiving a weapon be subject to a criminal history research. This procedure is conducted at the time of the property release and may take additional time to complete. Providing a valid identification, as well as a Social Security Number, is mandatory at the time of release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How do I claim my property?
A) The owner of the property will need to obtain either a court order from the court having jurisdiction over the criminal case or a Property Release Form completed by the reporting deputy/investigator or Sheriff's supervisor.

Q) My property was taken as evidence but I need it back. When can I retrieve it?
A) That depends on the judge, prosecutor, or the deputy conducting the investigation. Contact the deputy or prosecuter in the court in an effort to ascertain whether the property can be released to you before final disposition.

Q) Can someone else pick up my property for me?
A) Yes. You will have to have the judge issue a Property Restoration Order in the name of the person whom you designate to claim the property; or, you will have to have the reporting deputy/investigator issue a Property Release Form in the name of the person whom you designate to claim the property.

Q) How do I obtain a Motion to Restore Property?
A) If you are the complainant requesting the return of stolen property you may contact the prosecutor assigned to the court having jurisdiction in the case. You will need to have the Court Cause Number. If you are the defendant requesting the return of articles collected for evidentiary reasons you will need to ask your defense attorny to submit the request on your behalf.

Q) Can I retrieve prescription medication submitted for fingerprints that was involved in a burglary?
A) No. But you can provide the case number to your doctor and explain the circumstances surrounding the incident. He should then be able to legally renew your medication.

Q) I lost my wallet or other items a few months ago. Can I call and have someone check to see if it has been turned into the Sheriff’s Evidence/Property Room?
A) Yes. As long as you provide the case number and/or serial number, the Property Room staff can conduct a cursory check for your wallet or other items.

Q) Do you store inmate property at the Sheriff’s Evidence/Property Room?
A) No. Inmate property is stored at 1201 Commerce, phone number 713.755.2852.