If the officer or person to whom a writ of habeas corpus is directed, refuses obedience to the command thereof, he shall forfeit and pay to the person aggrieved a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), to be recovered by action in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1092, Sec. 322.5. Effective September 27, 1983. Operative January 1, 1984, by Sec. 427 of Ch. 1092.)