70-5-101. Nonapplicability to things abandoned

70-5-102. Finder not bound to take charge -- status as depositary

70-5-103. Duty to inform owner when known

70-5-104. Right of finder to require proof of claimant's ownership

70-5-105. Compensation of finder

70-5-106. Exoneration of finder by storage of thing found

70-5-107. Exoneration of owner by surrender of thing to finder

70-5-101. Nonapplicability to things abandoned

     The provisions of this chapter have no application to things which have been intentionally abandoned by their owners.

History: En. Sec. 2528, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5186, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7693, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 1872; Field Civ. C. Sec. 946; re-en. Sec. 7693, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-409.

70-5-102. Finder not bound to take charge -- status as depositary

     One who finds a thing lost is not bound to take charge of it, but if he does so, he is thenceforth a depositary for the owner, with the rights and obligations of a depositary for hire.

History: En. Sec. 2520, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5178, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7685, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 1864; Field Civ. C. Sec. 938; re-en. Sec. 7685, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-401.

70-5-103. Duty to inform owner when known

     If any person finds any money, goods, things in action, or other personal property or saves any domestic animal from drowning or starvation when the property is of a value of $10 or more and he knows or suspects who the owner is, he must use reasonable diligence to inform the owner thereof and make restitution without compensation, further than a reasonable charge for saving and taking care thereof. If he fails to do so, he is liable in damages to the owner and has no claim to any reward offered by the owner for the recovery of the thing or to any compensation for his trouble or expenses.

History: En. Sec. 2900, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 1996, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7694, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 3136; re-en. Sec. 7694, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-410(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 115, L. 1979.

70-5-104. Right of finder to require proof of claimant's ownership

     The finder of a thing may in good faith before giving it up require reasonable proof of ownership from any person claiming it.

History: En. Sec. 2522, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5180, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7687, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 1866; Field Civ. C. Sec. 940; re-en. Sec. 7687, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-403.

70-5-105. Compensation of finder

     The finder of a thing is entitled to compensation for all expenses necessarily incurred by him in its preservation and for any other service necessarily performed by him about it and to a reasonable reward for keeping it.

History: En. Sec. 2523, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5181, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7688, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. Sec. 1867; Field. Civ. C. Sec. 941; re-en. Sec. 7688, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-404.

70-5-106. Exoneration of finder by storage of thing found

     The finder of a thing may exonerate himself from liability at any time by placing it on storage with any responsible person of good character at a reasonable expense.

History: En. Sec. 2524, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5182, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7689, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 1868; Field Civ. C. Sec. 942; re-en. Sec. 7689, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-405.

70-5-107. Exoneration of owner by surrender of thing to finder

     The owner of a thing found may exonerate himself from the claims of the finder by surrendering it to him in satisfaction thereof.

History: En. Sec. 2527, Civ. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 5185, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 7692, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Civ. C. Sec. 1868; Field. Civ. C. Sec. 945; re-en. Sec. 7692, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 20-408.