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Simple English definitions for legal terms
civil arrest
Read a random definition: INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca
A quick definition of civil arrest:
A civil arrest is when someone is taken into custody by legal authority in response to a civil case, such as a lawsuit. This means that the person is detained until they pay a judgment or post bail. Civil arrest is not allowed in most states. It is different from a criminal arrest, which is when someone is taken into custody for breaking the law.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Civil arrest is the detention of a person who is a defendant in a civil lawsuit until they post bail or pay a judgment. It is a legal process used to ensure that the defendant complies with the court's orders.
Example: If a person is sued for not paying their debts, the court may issue a civil arrest warrant to ensure that they appear in court and pay the debt. The defendant will be detained until they post bail or pay the debt.
This example illustrates how civil arrest is used to enforce court orders in civil cases. It is different from criminal arrest, which is used to apprehend a person suspected of committing a crime.