35-01-20. Extinguishment of lien by sale or conversion of property - Mitigation of damages in conversion

35-01-20. Extinguishment of lien by sale or conversion of property - Mitigation of damages in conversion. The sale of any property in satisfaction of a lien, or in case of personal property, the wrongful conversion thereof by the person holding the lien, extinguishes the lien thereon. In an action for the conversion of personal property, the defendant may show in mitigation of damages the amount due on any lien to which the plaintiff's rights were subject and which was held or paid by the defendant or any person under whom the defendant claims.