Who retains custody of the seized property until directed otherwise by a magistrate?

The officer who seized the property retains custody of the seized property until directed otherwise by a magistrate because they are responsible for the initial chain of custody and ensuring that the evidence is safeguarded for potential trial use. This responsibility is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the evidence and preventing any tampering or loss that could occur if it were passed to other parties too soon. The officer's role includes documentation of the seizure, inventorying the items, and safeguarding them in a manner consistent with legal standards.

In the dynamics of the legal process, while other parties such as court clerks, district attorneys, and judges play important roles in the judicial proceedings, it is the officer’s responsibility to maintain control of the evidence until a magistrate issues further instructions regarding its disposition or handling.