Exactly how does a body attachment work?

A writ of body attachment is a process issued by the court directing the U.S. Marshal to bring a person who has been found in civil contempt before the court. The process may also be called an order of commitment for civil contempt or a warrant for civil arrest.

Body Attachment

Attachment in legal terminology means a preliminary legal seizure of property to force compliance with a decision which may be obtained in a pending suit. Before a final judgment is issued, the court may order the sheriff or other proper officer to seize any property; credit, or right, belonging to the defendant, in whatever hands the same may be found, to satisfy the claim which the plaintiff has against him. In some states, an order of attachment can only be issued when a debtor is shown to be fleeing or concealing themselves from the legal process, so that the attached property can satisfy a judgment that may be awarded in the complainant's favor. In criminal law practice, it may refer to a writ requiring a sheriff to apprehend a particular person, who has been guilty of a contempt of court, and to bring the offender before the court.

Most courts can issue an attachment that states "attach the body of said".

It is an arrest warrant. It is often used when someone misses a court date.

Officers can attempt service of the paper at any location they believe the subj to be. However, unless the address is on the paper, they can not just force their way in.

Normally, warrant officers will attempt service of the paper at the address listed on the paper.

Google search: body attachment

http://www.usmarshals.gov/process/body-attachment....

"A writ of body attachment is a process issued by the court directing the U.S. Marshal to bring a person who has been found in civil contempt before the court. The process may also be called an order of commitment for civil contempt or a warrant for civil arrest.

"TERRITORIAL LIMITS: An order of civil commitment of a person held to be in contempt of a decree or injunction issued to enforce the laws of the United States may be served and enforced anywhere in the United States. An order of civil commitment of a person held to be in contempt of a decree or injunction not involving the enforcement of federal law may only be served at any place within the state in which the district court is located, or at any place outside of the state that is within 100 miles of the courthouse.

"ISSUED BY: The writ is issued as an order of a U.S. District Court judge, U.S. magistrate judge, or U.S. bankruptcy judge under the seal of the clerk of the court.

"SERVED BY: The writ is served by the U.S. Marshal or by a Deputy U.S. Marshal.

"MANNER OF SERVICE: Service is accomplished by taking the named individual (the contemnor) into custody and bringing the individual before the court without undue delay.

"RETURN: The individual who effects service will make proof of service to the court promptly according to local rules within the district. "

I believe with a body attachment, they can go and physically arrest you. The other type of attachment, where they wait for you to be pulled over or show up in court for something else, is called a bench warrant.

whats a body attachment?

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I too have the same question