§14-2B-7. Prosecutor to distribute funds as ordered by court; court to order distribution of funds.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article, the prosecutor shall distribute funds which are or may later be deposited in the escrow account only in accordance with this section.

(b) The court or jury before which the interpleader action authorized by this article is pending shall decide all claims, except such claims that have already been reduced to judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction which shall be conclusively presumed to have been established, to such crime profits as have already been or may later be due and owing to the defendant as a result of the contract and shall thereafter order the prosecutor to distribute such moneys as are in the escrow account, or as may be later paid to the defendant pursuant to the contract, in accordance with the provisions of this section. If no escrow account has been established at the time of the court's entry of judgment, the court shall provide in its final order for the distribution of any future crime profits and shall provide that any such funds be paid directly to such persons and in such proportions as the court may direct. If an escrow account is established, the court shall distribute the moneys in the escrow account and shall provide that any future funds, if any, be paid directly to such persons and in such proportions as the court may direct. If an escrow account is established and the court also finds that it is likely that future crime profits will accrue to the defendant, the court in its discretion may provide for the continuance of the escrow account and for such further hearings as may be necessary or may provide that any future funds be paid directly to such persons and in such proportions as the court may direct.

(c) Upon the dismissal of charges against the defendant or upon the acquittal of the defendant in circumstances other than a finding by a court of record that the defendant is not criminally responsible for the commission of a crime by reason of mental illness, mental retardation or addiction, the court shall order the prosecutor to immediately pay over to such defendant the moneys, including accrued interest, in the escrow account established on behalf of such defendant.

(d) Upon a showing by any defendant that three years have elapsed since the prosecutor first received notice pursuant to section four of this article and that no actions are pending against such defendant pursuant to this article, the court shall order the prosecutor to immediately pay over to such defendant or his legal representative the moneys, including accrued interest, in the escrow account.

(e) Upon a showing by the defendant that moneys in the escrow account shall be used for the exclusive purpose of retaining legal representation at any stage of the criminal proceedings against such defendant, including the appeals process, the court shall order the prosecutor to pay over such moneys as are reasonable and necessary to pay for such legal representation: Provided, That if the defendant at any time during such criminal proceedings has been represented by court-appointed counsel, the court shall first order that Public Defender Services be reimbursed for any funds expended on behalf of the defendant.