Capias Utlagatum Law and Legal Definition
Capias utlagatum is a writ commanding the arrest of an outlawed person. Utlagatum is a Latin word which means “you take the outlaw.” There are two types of capias utlagatum - general or special. General is against the person only and special is against the person, lands and goods. The general writ of capias utlagatum commands the sheriff to take the defendant and produce him before the king and to do and receive what the court shall consider of him. The special writ also commands the sheriff to take the defendant and to inquire by a jury, about the defendant's goods and lands, to extend and appraise the same, and to take them in the king's hands and keep them safely, so that he may answer to the king regarding the same.
