Legal Definitions - fugitive from justice

A fugitive from justice refers to an individual who has left a particular state or jurisdiction with the specific intention of avoiding legal proceedings. This means they are attempting to escape criminal prosecution for a crime they are accused of committing, or they are trying to avoid giving testimony as a witness in a criminal case. The key element is the act of fleeing from a state to evade the legal system's processes.

• Example 1: Avoiding Prosecution

  Imagine a person who is a primary suspect in a significant embezzlement scheme in Texas. Before law enforcement can secure an arrest warrant and apprehend them, the individual sells their assets, withdraws all their money, and flees to Mexico, intending to live there indefinitely to avoid being charged and tried for the financial crime. This person would be considered a fugitive from justice because they intentionally left Texas to escape criminal prosecution.

• Example 2: Avoiding Testimony

  Consider a crucial witness in a high-profile murder trial in Illinois. This witness possesses vital information that could lead to the conviction of the accused. Days before they are scheduled to appear in court under a subpoena, the witness, fearing for their safety or simply not wanting to be involved, secretly travels to Colorado and establishes a new, undisclosed residence. This individual becomes a fugitive from justice because they intentionally fled from Illinois to avoid their legal obligation to provide testimony in a criminal proceeding.