Criminal defense across Denton County and Collin County

Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim

Chapter 32 of the Texas Penal Code defines offenses relating to fraud.

“Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim”, as per § 32.49 of the Texas Penal Code, occurs when a person, with intent to defraud or harm another, the person:

owns, holds, or is the beneficiary of a purported lien or claim asserted against real or personal property or an interest in real or personal property that is fraudulent, as described by Section 51.901(c), Government Code; and

not later than the 21st day after the date of receipt of actual or written notice sent by either certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the person's last known address, or by telephonic document transfer to the recipient's current telecopier number, requesting the execution of a release of the fraudulent lien or claim, refuses to execute the release on the request of:

the obligor or debtor; or

any person who owns any interest in the real or personal property described in the document or instrument that is the basis for the lien or claim.

An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.