Under section 609.7475, it is a crime to knowingly file a record that is not related to a valid lien or security agreement or that contains a forged signature or is based on a document with a forged signature.  It is also a crime to file a record with intent that it be used to harass or defraud another person.  The definition or record is contained in article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

The bill extends the five-year felony penalty to include a crime committed with intent to retaliate against a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or county recorder because of that person’s duties in connection with a sheriff’s sale or filing of liens regarding real property.  (The five-year felony currently applies to retaliation against judicial officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and officers of the court).  This section is effective August 1, 2012, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

CT:rer