Texas Property Code 68.064 – Termination or Release of Rico Lien Notice by Court
(a) If a civil action brought under Chapter 140B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is not pending against a person named in a RICO lien notice, the person may bring an action in the county where the notice has been filed against the investigative agency that filed the notice seeking a release or extinguishment of the notice.
(b) In an action brought under this section, the court shall, on the motion of the person named in the RICO lien notice, immediately enter an order setting a date for hearing that is not earlier than the fifth day and not later than the 10th day after the date the action is filed, and the order and a copy of the complaint shall be served on the investigative agency not later than the third day after the date the action is filed.
Terms Used In Texas Property Code 68.064
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
(c) At the hearing set under Subsection (b), the court shall take evidence on the issue of whether any real property or beneficial interest owned by the person named in the RICO lien notice is covered by the notice or is otherwise subject to forfeiture under Chapter 140B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
(d) If, at the hearing under Subsection (b), the person named in the RICO lien notice shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the notice is not applicable to the person or that any real property or beneficial interest owned by the person is not subject to forfeiture under Chapter 140B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the court shall enter a judgment terminating the notice or releasing the real property or beneficial interest from the notice.
(e) A court shall immediately enter its order releasing from a RICO lien notice any specific real property or beneficial interest if a sale of that real property or beneficial interest is pending and the filing of the notice prevents the sale of the property or interest. Proceeds resulting from the sale of that real property or beneficial interest shall be deposited into the registry of the court, subject to the further order of the court.
(f) At the hearing under Subsection (b), the court may release any real property or beneficial interest from the RICO lien notice, on the posting by the person named in the notice of security that is equal to the value of the real property or beneficial interest owned by the person.
(g) If a civil action brought under Chapter 140B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is pending against a person named in a RICO lien notice, the court on motion by the person may grant the relief described by this section.