West Virginia Code
Article 16. Fraudulent Common Law Liens
§38-16-501. Liability

§38-16-501. Liability.
(a) A person may not make, present, or use a document or other record with:
(1) Knowledge that the document or other record is a fraudulent court record or a fraudulent lien or claim against real or personal property or an interest in real or personal property;
(2) Intent that the document or other record be given the same legal effect as a court record or document of a court created by or established under the Constitution or laws of this state or the United States, evidencing a valid lien or claim against real or personal property or an interest in real or personal property; and
(3) Intent to cause another person to suffer:
(A) Physical injury;
(B) Financial injury; or
(C) Mental anguish or emotional distress.
(b) A person who violates subsection (a) is liable to each injured person for:
(1) The greater of:
(A) $10,000; or
(B) The actual damages caused by the violation;
(2) Court costs;
(3) Reasonable attorney's fees; and
(4) Exemplary damages in an amount determined by the court.

Structure West Virginia Code

West Virginia Code

Chapter 38. Liens

Article 16. Fraudulent Common Law Liens

§38-16-101. Definitions; Application of Definitions

§38-16-102. Court of Competent Jurisdiction Defined

§38-16-103. Federal Government Defined

§38-16-104. Federal Official or Employee Defined

§38-16-105. Lien Defined

§38-16-106. Nonconsensual Common Law Lien Defined

§38-16-107. Purported Court Defined

§38-16-108. State or Local Official or Employee Defined

§38-16-201. Bonafide Liens Are Not Affected by This Article

§38-16-202. Real Property Common Law Liens Unenforceable; Personal Property Common Law Liens Limited

§38-16-301. Filing or Recording a Claim of Nonconsensual Commonlaw Lien Is of No Force or Effect

§38-16-302. No Duty to Accept Filing of Purported Common Law Lien; No Duty to Reject Filing of Purported Common Law Lien

§38-16-303. Claim of Lien Against a Federal Official or Employee or a State or Local Official or Employee; Performance of Duties; Validity; No Duty to Accept Filing; Notice of Invalid Lien

§38-16-304. No Duty to Disclose Record of Common Law Lien

§38-16-305. Immunity From Liability for Failure to Accept Filing or Disclose Common Law Lien

§38-16-306. No Duty to Disclose Fraudulent Lien Record; Lien of Purported Court Is a Nullity

§38-16-401. Notice by Clerk of Fraudulent Lien

§38-16-402. Action on Fraudulent Judgment Lien

§38-16-403. Action on Fraudulent Lien on Property

§38-16-404. Costs and Attorneys' Fees

§38-16-405. Warning Sign

§38-16-406. Documents Filed With Secretary of State

§38-16-501. Liability

§38-16-502. Cause of Action

§38-16-503. Venue

§38-16-504. Filing Fees

§38-16-505. Plaintiff's Costs

§38-16-506. Effect on Other Law