What is a capias?

A capias is a legal document that serves as a writ commanding the arrest of a person. It is typically issued by a court when someone fails to appear for a court date or when there is a judgment against them that requires enforcement. Capiases can vary in their specific applications depending on the jurisdiction, but fundamentally, they are intended to facilitate the apprehension of individuals who are required to be brought before the court.

The other choices do not align with the definition of a capias. A search warrant pertains to the legal authority to search a specific location for evidence of a crime, not to arrest a person. Identifying suspects typically involves investigative techniques rather than a legal command to arrest. Lastly, the procedure for releasing prisoners is focused on the process and conditions for freeing someone from custody, which is distinctly different from the core purpose of a capias that seeks to bring someone into custody.