Attachment
Attachment, the act or process of taking, apprehending, or seizing persons or property and bringing them into the custody of a court. The writ (written legal order) authorizing the act is also called an attachment. The property attached may be sold to satisfy a judgment obtained by a plaintiff against a defendant. Attachment is particularly useful where a defendant cannot be found within the jurisdiction (area of authority) of the court but owns property within that jurisdiction. Attachment of wages is generally called garnishment. The seizure of persons by attachment proceedings is sometimes used for persons guilty of contempt of court or to compel the attendance of witnesses or jurors.