Legal Definitions - maraud

Maraud

To maraud means to move about an area with the specific intention of stealing or plundering goods, often using force or taking advantage of a chaotic situation. It implies a roving, opportunistic search for valuables to seize.

• Example 1: Following a severe hurricane that caused widespread power outages and evacuations, a small group of individuals began systematically entering abandoned homes in a particular neighborhood, taking electronics and jewelry.

  Explanation: This illustrates marauding because the individuals were moving from house to house within the affected area, taking advantage of the disaster and lack of security to steal property.

• Example 2: In a historical context, a band of renegade soldiers, having deserted their unit, traveled through rural territories, stopping at isolated farms and settlements to forcefully take food, livestock, and other supplies from the residents.

  Explanation: This demonstrates marauding as the group was roving about with the clear intent to pillage and plunder, seizing goods from multiple locations through force or intimidation.

• Example 3: During a period of civil unrest and widespread protests, a few opportunistic individuals broke into several storefronts along a main street, quickly grabbing merchandise like clothing and electronics before moving on to another location.

  Explanation: This fits the definition because the individuals were moving from place to place ("roving about") with the purpose of stealing ("looting" or "plundering") from multiple establishments in a chaotic and disorganized manner.