Seizure is when the government or its agent removes property from an individual's possession following unlawful activity or to satisfy a judgment entered by the court.
Seizure of property is a common remedy in a legal action in which property must be seized, or taken, in order to satisfy a judgment, preserve property, or other judicial reasons. Seizure, following a court order, is guided by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 64. For example, a court may order wage garnishment to satisfy a person’s debt such as missed child support payments.
Under criminal law, search and seizure, refers to when a police officer removes property from a person’s possession following a lawful search. Seizure of property must be reasonable according to 4th Amendment protections.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
