Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-213.2 — Filing false lien or encumbrance against another
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 7: Miscellaneous False and Fraudulent Acts, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-213.2
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
Any person who maliciously files a lien or encumbrance in a public record against the real or personal property of another knowing that such lien or encumbrance is false is guilty of a Class 5 felony. The court in its conviction order or in a separate order, shall direct the clerk of any jurisdiction in which a false lien or encumbrance has been filed to release from record such lien or encumbrance specifically described in the conviction order or separate order, including any notice or memorandum of lien. Such lien or encumbrance shall be deemed invalid and shall be treated as if it was never filed.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is filing false lien or encumbrance against another a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Filing false lien or encumbrance against another is a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-213.2.
Which Virginia statute covers filing false lien or encumbrance against another?
Filing false lien or encumbrance against another is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-213.2 (Filing false lien or encumbrance against another).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.