What happens when a seizure occurs in legal terms?

When a seizure occurs in legal terms, it refers to the government exercising control over a person or their property. This can take various forms, such as law enforcement detaining an individual for investigative purposes, or the governmental authority taking possession of property that is believed to be linked to criminal activity.

In contexts involving criminal law, a seizure often pertains to the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement has probable cause, they may seize evidence, which demonstrates how the government exerts authority over specific items or individuals.

In contrast, while aspects of detention, repossession of property, or invalidation of legal documents may involve elements of seizure, they do not encompass the broader understanding of governmental control implied in the correct answer. Thus, the correct choice captures the fundamental concept of what occurs during a seizure from a legal perspective.