fugitive

In one sentence

A person who flees or hides to avoid arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment for a crime.

Plain English

A fugitive is someone who has evaded law enforcement by fleeing or hiding to avoid being arrested or prosecuted for a crime. A person becomes a fugitive when they fail to appear in court as required or when they escape from custody. Fugitives can be pursued across state and national borders, and various law enforcement agencies work together to locate them. Being a fugitive itself can result in additional criminal charges beyond the original offense.

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Example

After being charged with armed robbery, a defendant fails to appear for trial and flees to another state. Police issue a warrant for his arrest as a fugitive. When he's eventually caught, he faces charges for both the original robbery and for being a fugitive.

Used in a sentence

“The fugitive was apprehended at the airport trying to board an international flight.”

Related terms

defendant

The person accused of a crime in a criminal case or sued in a civil case.

Search Warrant

A court order allowing police to search a specific place for evidence.

Felony

A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.

Mistrial

A trial that is declared invalid and must be restarted.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens who review evidence to decide if there's probable cause to charge someone with a crime.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.