Missouri Laws 575.133 – Filing a nonconsensual common law lien — penalty
1. A person commits the offense of filing a nonconsensual common law lien if he or she files a document that purports to assert a lien against the assets, real or personal, of any person and that, regardless of any self-description:
(1) Is not expressly provided for by a specific state or federal statute;
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 575.133
- Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
- Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Property: includes real and personal property. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
(2) Does not depend upon the consent of the owner of the property affected or the existence of a contract for its existence; and
(3) Is not an equitable or constructive lien imposed by a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction.
2. This section shall not apply to a filing officer as defined in section 428.105 that is acting in the scope of his or her employment.
3. The offense of filing a nonconsensual common law lien is a class B misdemeanor.