Defendants who fail to appear in response to a summons can be arrested on a capias.

Defendants who fail to appear in response to a summons can be arrested on a capias.

• A. Yes
• B. Only after a hearing
• C. No
• D. Only with bond

Answer: (A)

A capias is a court-issued writ that authorizes law enforcement to arrest someone who has failed to respond to a summons and bring them before the court. When a defendant doesn’t appear as ordered, the court can issue this capias so the person can be compelled to attend court. The capias itself creates the authority to arrest without needing a prior hearing, and it isn’t contingent on posting bond at the moment of issuance—the bond issue, if any, can come later when the person is brought in. This mechanism ensures the court’s orders are enforced and the matter can proceed.

A capias is a court-issued writ that authorizes law enforcement to arrest someone who has failed to respond to a summons and bring them before the court. When a defendant doesn’t appear as ordered, the court can issue this capias so the person can be compelled to attend court. The capias itself creates the authority to arrest without needing a prior hearing, and it isn’t contingent on posting bond at the moment of issuance—the bond issue, if any, can come later when the person is brought in. This mechanism ensures the court’s orders are enforced and the matter can proceed.