Legal Definitions - imparcare

Imparcare is a historical legal term that refers to the act of confining or enclosing. It was primarily used in two contexts:

• To impound property or animals, meaning to seize and hold them in custody.
• To confine a person in prison or a similar place of detention.

Here are some examples illustrating the historical application of "imparcare":

• Example 1: Impounding Livestock

  Imagine a medieval village where a farmer's sheep repeatedly strayed from their pasture and damaged a neighbor's crops. The aggrieved neighbor, under local custom or law, might have the right to imparcare the trespassing sheep, holding them in a secure pen until the farmer paid compensation for the damage or a fine for the trespass.

  This example demonstrates "imparcare" in the sense of impounding animals, where they are seized and confined as a consequence of an offense or to ensure a payment.

• Example 2: Confining a Suspect

  In 15th-century England, if a local constable apprehended an individual suspected of a serious crime, such as highway robbery, he might order the suspect to be imparcated within the local gaol or a fortified tower. The individual would remain confined there while awaiting trial or further investigation by the authorities.

  Here, "imparcare" refers to the act of confining a person in a prison or a place of detention, typically as a legal measure.

• Example 3: Seizing Contraband Goods

  Consider a 17th-century port where customs officials discovered a merchant attempting to smuggle prohibited goods into the country without paying the required duties. The officials would then imparcare the entire shipment, seizing the goods and storing them in a customs warehouse until a legal resolution was reached, such as the payment of fines or forfeiture of the items.

  This illustrates "imparcare" as the act of impounding or enclosing goods by legal authority, often due to a violation of law or to secure payment.