When it is suggested by the plaintiff in any attachment at law or in equity that the garnishee has not fully disclosed the debts or liabilities due by him to, or personal property in his possession or under his control of, the defendant in such attachment, or has not delivered to the officer the property, or paid the money, for which he was liable, the court shall cause a jury to be impaneled, without any formal pleadings, to inquire as to such debts or liabilities or property, or as to such payment or delivery, unless a trial by jury be waived by the parties, and if trial by a jury be waived, the court shall proceed to hear and determine the questions at issue. Whether the issues of fact be found by the court or by a jury, the court shall proceed in respect to any facts so found, in the same manner as if they had been confessed by the garnishee, but either party shall be entitled to a writ of error or an appeal as in other cases. If the verdict or decision of the court be for the garnishee, he shall have judgment for his costs against the plaintiff, and if the judgment be against the garnishee, he shall be adjudged liable for the costs of the garnishment proceeding.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 38-7-28

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Garnishment: Generally, garnishment is a court proceeding in which a creditor asks a court to order a third party who owes money to the debtor or otherwise holds assets belonging to the debtor to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor
  • Judgment: includes decrees and orders for the payment of money, or the conveyance or delivery of land or personal property, or some interest therein, or any undertaking, bond or recognizance which has the legal effect of a judgment. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.