Deforcement

The holding any lands or tenements to which another has a right. In its most extensive sense, the term includes any withholding of any lands or tenements to which another person has a right (Co. Litt. 277); so that this includes as well an abatement, an intrusion, a disseisin, or a discontinuance, as any other species of wrong whatsoever, by which the owner of the freehold is kept out of possession. But, as contradistinguished from the former, it is only such a detainer of the freehold from him who has the right of property as falls within none of the injuries above mentioned.

3 Bl. Comm. 173; Archb. Civ. PI.

13; Dane, Abr. Index. In Scotch Law. The opposition given, or resistance made, to messengers or other officers while they are employed in executing the law.. This crime is punished by confiscation ol movables, the one half, to the king and the other to the creditor at whose suit the diligence is used.

Ersk. Prac. 4. 4. 32.