Some IRS agents and other government officials have been surprised to find such a lien against them on their credit report when they apply for a mortgage or a car loan. Although the filing of common law liens is wholly improper, it can be a nightmare to have a lien removed and a credit record cleared. These Patriots believe that if a police officer or some other agent of the law should try to arrest them in violation of their perceived rights under the common law, they have the right to defend themselves. This right includes the use of deadly force. In Missouri, a state trooper was wounded by sniper gunfire after he was involved in the arrest of a common law court member.
Authorities suspect another court member is responsible for the attempted assassination.
While most of these indictments remain little more than curious documents of protest, some of the more extreme common law courts take them seriously and have implemented the means for their enforcement. This was followed by months of anonymous phone threats. Later a federal law enforcement agent alerted Bethel that a murder contract had been put out on her. Joining in this effort, legislators in these three states are working to enact penalties for fraud, harassment and intimidation by common law court activists.