§ 1521

Retaliating against a Federal judge or Federal law enforcement officer by false claim or slander of title

Up to 10 years Courts & Justice None sentenced (FY2025) Ch. 73 · Obstruction of Justice

Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term

Whoever files, to file, or to file, in any public record or in any private record which is generally available to the public, any false lien or encumbrance against the real or personal property of an individual described in section 1114, on account of the performance of official duties by that individual, knowing or that such lien or encumbrance is false or contains any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, shall be or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

History: (Added Pub. L. 110–177, title II, §201(a), Jan. 7, 2008, 121 Stat. 2535.)

Simplified explanation

It is a federal crime to file, try to file, or conspire to file a false lien (a legal claim against property) against the property of a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or other covered federal employee as payback for their official work.