What is being seized in this forfeiture action?

The petition seeks forfeiture of $2,846.56 in U.S. currency held in Sarasota County.

How do I contest the forfeiture?

Serve written defenses on the petitioner's attorney and file the original with the clerk by March 9, 2026.

Who is the petitioner's attorney and how do I contact them?

Joseph J. Polzak, Esq., P.O. Box 1000, Sarasota, FL 34236 — serve him with your defenses.

Court Notice — P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL (2026 CA 000444 NC)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Government

Affects:Property BuyersDefendantsGeneral Public

The City of Sarasota, on behalf of the police department, filed a civil forfeiture action seeking $2,846.56 in U.S. currency. Anyone claiming an interest must file written defenses with the court and serve the petitioner's attorney by March 9, 2026, or risk default.

Key Takeaways

Forfeiture action seeks $2,846.56 in cash
Respond by March 9, 2026 with written defenses
Serve attorney Joseph J. Polzak, P.O. Box 1000, Sarasota
Failure to respond may result in default judgment

Published: Feb 6, 2026 · 3 months ago
Category: Court Notice
City: Sarasota
Address

P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL · 6 filings

Case #

2026 CA 000444 NC

Research context

6 filings at this address 15 court notice notices in Sarasota (last 12 months)

View full case dossier

All filings for #2026 CA 000444 NC with AI case analysis

If you don't respond

If you do not serve written defenses on or before March 9, 2026 and file them with the clerk, a default may be entered and the petitioner may obtain forfeiture of the $2,846.56.

What to do next

1
Prepare written defenses
Draft and sign your written defenses addressing any claim to the $2,846.56 and supporting facts before March 9, 2026.
2
Serve the petitioner's attorney
Serve a copy of your defenses on Joseph J. Polzak, Esq., P.O. Box 1000, Sarasota, FL 34236 prior to or on March 9, 2026.
3
File with the court clerk
File the original defenses with the Clerk of the Circuit Court (P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL 34230) either before or immediately after serving the attorney.

Frequently asked questions

What is being seized in this forfeiture action?: The petition seeks forfeiture of $2,846.56 in U.S. currency held in Sarasota County.
How do I contest the forfeiture?: Serve written defenses on the petitioner's attorney and file the original with the clerk by March 9, 2026.
Who is the petitioner's attorney and how do I contact them?: Joseph J. Polzak, Esq., P.O. Box 1000, Sarasota, FL 34236 — serve him with your defenses.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act: State law allowing government to seize property used in or derived from criminal activity.
forfeiture: Government legal process to take ownership of property because of alleged unlawful activity.
default: Court ruling against a party who fails to respond or appear, granting the other side relief.

Full Notice Text

NOTICE OF ACTION
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Case No: 2026 CA 000444 NC Agency Case No.: 25-051618
IN RE: THE FORFEITURE OF:
$2,846.56 IN U.S. CURRENCY
A PETITION OF THE CITY OF SARASOTA f/b/o THE SARASOTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TO ALL PERSONS OR ENTITIES HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED:
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act has been filed by PETITIONER, on the following property in Sarasota County, Florida: Two Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 56/100 cents in U.S. Currency ($2,846.56), and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses to it, if any, on Joseph J. Polzak, Esq., PETITIONERS attorney, whose address is P.O. Box 1000, Sarasota, FL 34236, on or before the 9 day of March 2026, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before Service on PETITIONERS attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Sarasota County Jury Office, P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, Florida 34230-3079, (941)861-7400, at least seven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than seven (7) days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Dated January 27, 2026
KAREN E. RUSHING,
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT-
SARASOTA
P.O. Box 3079
Sarasota, Florida 34230
(SEAL) By G. Kopinsky
Deputy Clerk
February 6, 13, 2026 26-00243S