§ 5.19 Criminal Restitution Liens

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

§ 5.19 — Criminal Restitution Liens

In connection with criminal proceedings, A.R.S. § 13-806 permits the filing of a criminal restitution lien by a prosecutor or crime victim. In relevant part, the statute provides "[t]he filing of a restitution lien . . . creates a lien in favor of the state or the victim in . . . [a]ny interest of the defendant in personal property situated in this state then maintained or thereafter acquired in the name of the defendant identified in the lien." A.R.S. § 13-806(E)(2). Although the criminal restitution lien statute itself does not define "personal property," this phrase is defined as including "money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences of debt." A.R.S. § 1-215(29).

Compared to other liens discussed in this publication, criminal restitution liens are somewhat unique. According to § 13-806(E), a...