Flight Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Flight, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Flight?

(n) Flight is the immediate vacating, leaving of the place of residence or stay, without information, to avoid certain happening which would have occurred to him if he continue to stay there or at a locatable place.

History and Meaning of Flight

Flight is a legal term used to refer to the sudden and unanticipated departure from a specific location without prior notice or information. The term usually denotes a situation where an individual or group of people leave a specific residence or location to avoid circumstances or harm that may be inflicted upon them if they remain in the same location.

The history of the term can be traced back to the medieval ages when people could be banished from their kingdoms and forced to flee to other parts of the country or other kingdoms for committing a crime or offenses against the state. Throughout history, people have fled for different reasons, including persecution, war, political conflicts, or natural disasters.

Examples of Flight

  1. A witness in a murder case suddenly leaves town before the trial without informing anyone.
  2. A debtor suddenly closes their business, sells off their assets and disappears to avoid paying their debts.
  3. A defendant who has been bailed out of jail fails to show up in court for their trial.
  4. An immigrant family suddenly leaves their home country to escape from persecution and seek asylum.
  5. A victim of domestic violence leaves their home suddenly and without warning to avoid further harm.

Legal Terms Similar to Flight

  1. Fugitive - a person who has been accused of a crime and is on the run from the law.
  2. Abscond - to escape secretly and hiding oneself to avoid arrest or prosecution.
  3. Default - failure to meet legal obligations or appear for a scheduled court appearance