Legal Definitions - abscond

Abscond refers to the act of leaving a place, often suddenly and secretly, typically to avoid legal consequences or to depart with money or property that belongs to another person. It implies an intentional evasion of legal process, such as arrest, prosecution, or the service of legal documents, or a dishonest departure with stolen assets.

• Example 1: A business owner facing a significant civil lawsuit for breach of contract suddenly sells their assets, closes their business, and moves to another country without informing their lawyers or the court. They then fail to appear for a scheduled court hearing.

  Explanation: This illustrates absconding because the business owner secretly and suddenly left the jurisdiction with the clear intent to avoid the legal process of the civil lawsuit and the potential judgment against them.

• Example 2: An employee responsible for managing a company's payroll transfers a large sum of money from the company's accounts into a personal offshore account. The employee then resigns without notice and disappears, leaving no forwarding address or contact information.

  Explanation: This is an act of absconding because the employee secretly departed, taking with them money that rightfully belonged to the company, thereby evading accountability for the theft and potential criminal charges.

• Example 3: A person who has been issued a subpoena to testify as a key witness in a criminal trial suddenly leaves town the day before they are due in court, turning off their phone and making no contact with the authorities or their family.

  Explanation: This demonstrates absconding as the witness secretly and suddenly left, intending to evade their legal obligation to appear in court and provide testimony, thereby avoiding the legal process.