Definition

A legal document that orders the arrest of a person.

Example

The judge issued a capias for the suspect who failed to appear in court.

Conversation

Did you hear about the capias that was issued last week?

Yeah, I can't believe someone actually got arrested because of it.

I wonder what they did to get a capias in the first place.

It must have been serious; those things don't just happen for nothing.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Capias is derived from the Latin word 'capere' (meaning to seize or take). The term 'capias' refers to a type of legal writ that commands the arrest of a person, thus relating to the act of seizing or taking someone into custody.

Memory Tip

Think of 'capere' which means to 'seize' — that's why 'capias' refers to a legal order to take someone into custody.

Visually Confused Words