CAPIAS, in law, a writ of two sorts; one before judgment in an action, and the other after. That before judgment is called capias ad respondendum, where an original is issued out, to take the defendant, and make him answer the plaintiff. That after judgment is of divers kinds; as,
CAPIAS ad Satisfaciendum, a writ of execution that issues on a judgment obtained, and lies where any person recovers in a personal action, as for debt, damages, &c. in which cases this writ issues to the sheriff, commanding him to take the body of him against whom the debt is recovered, who is to be kept in prison till he make satisfaction.
CAPIAS pro Fine is a writ lying where a person is fined to the king, for some offence committed against a statute, and he does not discharge the fine according to the judgment; therefore his body shall be taken by this writ, and committed to gaol till the fine is paid.