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capias

American  
[key-pee-uhs, kap-ee-] / ˈkeɪ pi əs, ˈkæp i- /

noun

Law.
  1. a writ commanding an officer to take a specified person into custody.


capias British  
/ ˈkeɪpɪˌæs, ˈkæp- /

noun

  1. law (formerly) a writ directing a sheriff or other officer to arrest a named person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of capias

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin: literally, you are to take, subjunctive 2nd person singular of capere

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the most common types of warrants is the capias warrant.

From Encyclopedia.com

A capias warrant is issued when someone needs to be detained to ensure that they make a scheduled court appearance.

From Encyclopedia.com

The capias warrant can also appear in other types of courts for various purposes, but the end result of any capias warrant is to bring the person back to court to answer for missing a scheduled court date.

From Encyclopedia.com

The word “capias” is Latin and translates in English to “for the taking of.”

From Encyclopedia.com

There are several situations where a capias warrant can be used by criminal or other types of courts.

From Encyclopedia.com