Any person who shall file such a lien statement without reasonable grounds to believe that he is entitled to such lien or who shall file a statement containing any willfully made false substantial statement and who shall fail upon demand to execute and deliver to the property owner a full and complete discharge of such lien claim shall be liable in a civil action for all damages, expenses, and costs, including attorney's fees, caused to the property owner and an additional penalty of one hundred dollars to be included in the judgment in such action.
S.D. Codified Laws § 44-2-9
Filing of lien statement without reasonable grounds--False statements in instrument--Noncompliance with demand for discharge--Civil action for damages--Penalty included in judgment
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case Gregory's, Inc. v. Haan (1996)
Most recently applied in Jed Spectrum, Inc. v. Stoakes (July 2025)
Source: SDC 1939, § 39.0124.
Official source: South Dakota Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain South Dakota statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.